Lithuania’s law enforcement has opened a pre-trial investigation into the supply of high-tech equipment manufactured in Lithuania to Russia.
It is suspected that a Russian citizen with a temporary residence permit in Lithuania organised the supply of this equipment to Russian defence and security industry research institutions, scientific institutions and institutes, and other related entities.
The State Security Department (VSD) has launched an investigation into the violation of international sanctions or restrictive measures imposed by Lithuania following the receipt of such information.
On January 14, the Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) officers carried out searches, arrested persons involved in sanctions circumvention schemes, and questioned suspects and witnesses.
The detained Russian citizen is remanded in custody for one month, while the other suspects are subject to other remand measures.
Suspicions in the investigation have been brought against 10 persons. The investigation was carried out in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, in cooperation with the law enforcement authorities of these countries and under the coordination of the Lithuanian representatives in Eurojust.
“Russian entities are looking for ways to obtain Lithuanian products by circumventing international sanctions. The products of Lithuanian companies operating in the field of information technology and telecommunications, as well as other high-technology companies, are of interest to Russian entities operating in the security and defence industries, which contribute to the development of new technologies,” the press release reads.
According to the report, the pre-trial investigation provides reasonable grounds to believe that the Russian national has actively cooperated with entities linked to the Russian security and defence industry and has organised schemes to circumvent the international sanctions imposed on Russia.
It is suspected that he had an extensive network of business contacts in Russia, received orders from Russian entities, and organised the supply of equipment to them, which is prohibited due to the European Union sanctions.
“The main tactics to circumvent the sanctions remain unchanged. To circumvent the sanctions, long chains of intermediaries are created, companies operating in third countries are used, and ways are found to export goods to Russian companies not yet subject to international sanctions and then pass them on to the real recipients, who are linked to Russia’s security and defence industry,” the Lithuanian law enforcement said.
“Even if a specific case of sanctions evasion is detected and prevented, Russian entities or their intermediaries start looking for new ways to circumvent the sanctions,” it added.
According to the press release, such offences are punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to five years.
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