The European Parliament adopted a law on the criminalization of the circumvention of EU sanctions
On March 12, the European Parliament approved the law on the criminalization of violations and circumvention of sanctions introduced by the European Union. In particular, it simplifies the confiscation of restricted assets, according to the published text.
The new law establishes definitions of violated sanctions and principles of punishment for them. In addition to intentional violations, the law criminalizes trade in weapons or dual-purpose goods due to negligence.
After the adoption of the EU law, the member states will be obliged to adopt national laws corresponding to the general rule. Circumvention of sanctions should be a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for no more than five years. Laws should provide for the confiscation of income obtained from the circumvention of sanctions and the tools used for this purpose.
This includes assets that are used to circumvent sanctions. This, in particular, may allow the EU states to seize the property of Russian entrepreneurs and companies suspected of trying to circumvent sanctions.
- Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the largest number of sanctions restrictions have been introduced by the EU countries against the Russian economy, business and citizens. One of the goals of the adopted document was to increase sanctions pressure on Moscow and Russian oligarchs.
- 543 deputies voted for the document, 45 against, 27 abstained.
