Yuri Kobzar20:29, 04/12/24
Until now, only a few EU member states have punished their citizens for circumventing sanctions. Now everyone should do this.
The Council of the European Union has approved legislation that introduces rules for penalties for violating or circumventing EU sanctions in the national jurisdictions of member states. This was reported by the press service of the European Council .
This law is not a document of direct effect. It sets a minimum standard for this type of offense in the national legislation of member countries. But if they wish, countries can prescribe harsher punishments.
“Certain actions will now be considered criminal offenses in all member states, such as assisting in circumventing a travel ban, trading in sanctioned goods or carrying out prohibited financial activities. Aiding and abetting these offenses may also be punishable,” the press statement explains. service of the European Council.
It is noted that the severity of the punishment must be adequate to the specific type of offense, but a deliberate violation of the sanctions prohibition must include imprisonment for at least one year, and in some cases at least five years. For less serious violations of the sanctions regime, it is proposed to introduce a system of fines.
Legal entities (i.e. companies) can also be held liable if the offense was committed by a person holding a senior position in the organization. In such cases, penalties may include deprivation of business rights and revocation of permits and authority to carry out business activities.
(C)UNIAN 2024
What about EU companies still operating in mafia land, should the owners of the companies not be sent to prison? They are helping the russian war effort just as much as the sanction evaders.
Nobody ever said the EU is known for making fast decisions, but at least the Union will eventually do the right thing. Which is more than can be said about that other Union across the Atlantic, which is in a pathetic state. 🤨