Switzerland sanctions 26 companies having bypassing Russian embargo

The 15 to 20 federal employees responsible for monitoring the application of sanctions against Russia have work to do. Similarly, Since the start of War in Ukraine In 2022. Consequently, nearly 700 alleged violations were reported to the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO). Furthermore, According to his own figures, the authority has only opened 77 procedures to date, 65 of which are closed. However, In 26 cases, a fine was pronounced, while the other judicial actions were suspended.

We were able to consult the final criminal decisions. Therefore, It emerges switzerland sanctions 26 companies having from this analysis that the offenses discovered at Swiss customs are generally due to negligence. Furthermore, Officials must sometimes deal with curious cases.

Dubai as a residence instead of Moscow – Switzerland sanctions 26 companies having

In 2022. Furthermore, a few weeks after the start of the war, the customs of Geneva airport confiscated a wristwatch worth nearly 300,000 francs. Moreover, A traveler wanted to export this luxury watch to Russia in VAT franchise. However, The form aroused the suspicions of customs officials, who reported the case to Seco. Consequently, The latter opened a procedure. Consequently, The export of luxury products is prohibited due to sanctions.

In the criminal decision, all names have been deleted to protect the privacy of those concerned. However, the document reveals that the watch was purchased in a Geneva store. In addition, During the procedure, switzerland sanctions 26 companies having the buyer’s lawyer argued that his customer did not live in Russia, but Dubai. Since the start of the war, many wealthy Russians have settled there. However, the trial did not allow to prove that this person lived well in the United Arab Emirates. On the purchasing documents of the watch, Moscow appeared as a place of residence.

The Seco finally inflicted a fine of 5,000 francs on the Swiss seller. This is the heaviest sentence pronounced to date for a minor offense to sanctions. In serious cases, sanctions can go up to 3 months in prison or 100,000 francs fine.

Confiscation and destruction of a sauna

In 2023, Customs in Geneva intercepted the delivery of a sauna worth 4000 francs. It had been delivered by a company whose headquarters is in Belarus. switzerland sanctions 26 companies having The recipient was a Swiss company. Importing the sauna was not subject to sanctions.

Despite this. Seco has opened a procedure, because the sanctions are not only aimed at Ukraine and Russia, but also Belarusthe Allied state of Putin. Switzerland prohibits the importation of wooden products.

SECO concluded that there had been negligence. He inflicted a fine of 1000 francs. The sauna has never arrived at the buyer. The office has canceled delivery.

A Google research error does not protect the sanction

Several procedures concern industrial goods. Fines of 100 to 1000 francs have been imposed for the export of valves. electric switches or parts intended for satellite navigation systems.

An “international company”, under the terms of the criminal decision, received switzerland sanctions 26 companies having a fine of 5,000 francs. She tried to send Switzerland to Russia spare parts and accessories for machine tools worth more than 150,000 francs. Customs at Basel Airport prevented export in February 2024. Deliveries of goods intended to strengthen the Russian industry are not authorized. The spare parts enter this category.

The firm attributed the incident to an unfortunate Google search. A collaborator had found “an obsolete version” of the order in which the goods were not yet listed.

The machine tools are particularly sensitive. They cannot be delivered to Russia, as they could be used by the arms industry. However. an analysis of the Russian customs data carried out by the SRF reveals that more than 100 machines of this type, manufactured by Swiss companies, have reached Russia through diverted routes since the spring of 2022, in switzerland sanctions 26 companies having particular by transiting by Turkey.

The criminal decision does not mention that the spare parts were intended for thearmament industry. Otherwise, the Seco would no doubt have pronounced a heavier sentence. The fact that the expedition to Russia was prevented was a factor attenuating in this case. The fault is “in the low fork”, writes the Seco.

The fine exceeds the value of the rifle parts

A man ordered weapon spare parts on a Russian online store: cannons. loading handles compatible with assault rifles, including Kalashnikovs. In 2021, the customs of theGeneva Airport intercepted the sending and reported the case to SECO, which opened a procedure. The import of firearms. their Russian components has been prohibited since 2014, the year of the annexation of Crimea by Russia. In March 2024. the authority switzerland sanctions 26 companies having pronounced a fine of 300 francs, a sum greater than the value of delivery, which amounted to around 200 francs.

According to the criminal decision, the Seco has judged the infraction light. The accused said he was unaware of the sanctions incurred. He could not avoid fine. According to authority, the man should have inquired about the sanctions before ordering. “Ignorance does not protect the sanction,” reads the investigation.

Seco is justified

Asked about this. the State Secretariat for the Economy replied that people and businesses are responsible for compliance with sanctions, failing which they may not comply with the embargo. Such violations continue to exist. About two thirds of the suspect cases reported relate to imports, a third of exports.

SECO recognizes that minor cases are over -represented switzerland sanctions 26 companies having in the statistics of closed procedures. The latter could be completed more quickly, it is said. Other surveys, however, are more expensive and take more time. Two procedures were sent to the public prosecutor of the Confederation.

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