Lithuanian authorities are investigating a violation of sanctions by a Russian citizen who has a residence permit in Lithuania.
The investigation is being conducted by the Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service (FCIS), and it involves the supply of high-tech equipment manufactured in Lithuania to structures associated with Russia’s defense.
On January 14th, searches and detentions were carried out against individuals involved in schemes to evade sanctions, and charges were brought against 10 people. These events took place in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
One Russian citizen detained in Lithuania is currently held in custody for 1 month. FCIS reports say that there are suspicions of a wide network of business contacts with Russian enterprises, receiving orders from them and arranging for the supply of necessary equipment.
The main tactic of circumventing sanctions remains unchanged, stated FCIS. Long chains of intermediaries are created to bypass sanctions, companies operating in third countries are used, and ways are sought to export goods to non-sanctioned Russian companies, then transfer them to actual recipients related to Russian security and defense industry. If a specific case of circumvention is detected and prevented, Russian actors and their intermediaries will seek new ways to bypass the sanctions.
The Lithuanian authorities have not yet make public more detailed information.
