Illegal trade - Around Russia-sanctions? Verdict expected
Two businesspeople from Germany have been on trial in Stuttgart for several weeks due to allegations that they illegally exported electronic components for drones to Russia. The Higher Regional Court is now set to decide if the man from Saarland and the entrepreneur from Baden-Württemberg are guilty. A verdict may be handed down today.
According to the court, your customer in Russia produced military material and accessories. This reportedly included the "Orlan 10" drone used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The delivered electronic components, as per the indictment, are common components of this drone type and subject to the Russian embargo by the European Union.
A manager of two companies in Saarland is accused by the Federal Prosecutor's Office of violating the Foreign Trade Law in numerous instances. To bypass EU sanctions, he allegedly imported the goods initially from abroad to Germany and then, through companies he controlled and co-managed with the co-defendant, exported them to Russia.
The woman from Baden-Württemberg is charged with aiding in some of these violations. Both are reportedly of both German and Russian nationality. The illegally exported components were valued at approximately 875,000 Euros.
The defense attorney for the accused man has requested a prison sentence of six years and nine months. His defense pleaded for a sentence not exceeding four years. The woman's defense, according to the prosecution, should receive a sentence of one year and nine months of probation. Both defendants have agreed to these demands.
- The electronic components for the drones were key components of the Orlan 10, a drone commonly used in military operations by Russia in Ukraine, which is under EU sanctions due to the Russia-Sanctions crisis.
- Despite knowing about the Russian embargo on these components, the men from Germany still chose to illegally export them to Russia, using sham companies to bypass the sanctions.
- The court in Baden-Württemberg is carefully considering the evidence presented, as this case has implications not just for the two accused businessmen, but also for the broader question of criminality in international trade and compliance with EU regulations.
- If found guilty, the man from Saarland is facing a potential prison sentence of up to six years and nine months, while his business partner from Baden-Württemberg is looking at a probationary sentence of one year and nine months.
- The trial has brought attention to the role of Germany in the wider Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as the potential for German businesses to unwittingly contribute to conflicts through the export of sensitive technology.
- The European Union has expressed concern about the issue, highlighting the importance of enforcing sanctions and penalties for those who violate them, to maintain peace and stability in Eastern Europe.
- The verdict in this case is expected to set a precedent, influencing future judgments regarding compliance with EU sanctions and international trade regulations.
- If the defendants are found guilty, it may lead to further investigations into other German companies and individuals who have potentially violated EU sanctions and contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
