Latvia introduces harsher punishment for sanctions evasion

June 10, Pozirk. Latvia has enacted amendments providing for harsher punishment for the evasion of international and national sanctions, the country’s State Revenue Service reported.
The amended law carries a fine of up to €10,000 for individuals and up to €30,000 for companies for circumventing restrictions imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, international organizations and Latvia, if the value of goods or services involved is less than €10,000.
A higher value or dealings in firearms, ammunition, military goods and technologies are subject to criminal prosecution.
Earlier this month, the Latvian revenue services forwarded to prosecutors a criminal case against an unnamed individual for importing Belarusian-made wood pellets and briquettes worth more than €835,000, bypassing the EU sanctions.
In late May, the Riga District Court ruled to confiscate 1,936 tons of potassium chloride seized by the customs officers and transfer the proceeds, about €306,000, to the state budget.
In both cases, importers claimed the goods originated from Uzbekistan.

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