A Helsinki based company operating in the forwarding sector is suspected of having delivered sanctioned products to Russia in 2022–2025, said Finnish Customs on Wednesday.
Customs is investigating into the criminal case where the company allegedly delivered sanctioned goods worth about 300 000 euros.
The consignments subject to the preliminary investigation have contained, among other things, bearings and motors suitable for industrial use.
The company is suspected of having exported the goods to Russia via third countries, but it has also tried to export goods classified as dual-use items directly to Russia without an export licence.
A consignment of goods classified as dual-use items was intercepted in Finland by Finnish Customs.
“Most of the goods under investigation have exited the European Union via either Lithuania or Poland to Belarus, destined for Central Asian states, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Another often used transport route has run through Europe and the goods have exited the EU via Bulgaria. One significant consignee of the goods has been a company that has subsequently been added to the US and EU sanctions lists,” said the investigator in charge, Hanna Koskenranta.
The company under investigation has been operating in the forwarding sector for years, with its activities focused on trade with Russia until spring 2022.
After the start of Russia’s war of aggression, the company made changes to its activities, directing most of its exports to states surrounding Russia.
Based on the material seized in a search conducted by Finnish Customs, there is reason to suspect that the company has acted as an intermediary between European and Russian companies.
It is also suspected that the Finnish company itself has purchased some of the delivered goods from Europe and that it has delivered them to Russia via third countries.
As the company has used foreign procurement channels in its activities, the investigation has also involved international cooperation with preliminary investigation authorities in different countries.
Finnish Customs is investigating the case as an aggravated regulation offence. There is one main suspect in the case, who is the sole responsible person in the company.
The person is a middle-aged man born in the Soviet Union and residing in Finland. When the preliminary investigation has been completed, the case will be forwarded to the Prosecution District of Southern Finland for consideration of charges.
- Helsinki company
- Sanctioned goods
- Russia
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
