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But when it comes to upholding sanctions law at home, enforcement is weak and monitoring is patchy.\n","image":["https://files-production-saulx-eu-observer-production-en-ci-hyp-xx0.based.dev/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=400/5980524a0fdf8959f83746a9f2eb2b16.jpeg","https://files-production-saulx-eu-observer-production-en-ci-hyp-xx0.based.dev/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=800/5980524a0fdf8959f83746a9f2eb2b16.jpeg","https://files-production-saulx-eu-observer-production-en-ci-hyp-xx0.based.dev/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=1200/5980524a0fdf8959f83746a9f2eb2b16.jpeg"],"datePublished":"2025-02-27T06:00:00.000Z"}</script> <link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://files-production-saulx-eu-observer-production-en-ci-hyp-xx0.based.dev/favicon-UOZ7ZRS5.ico" /> <script>window.__basedcache__={"1055265130055":{"v":{"data":[{"title":"EU Elections","type":"section","id":"509704cb00","index":0},{"title":"Investigation","type":"articleType","id":"80e452251d","index":0},{"title":"Opinion","type":"section","id":"50dee1923e","index":1},{"title":"Analysis","type":"articleType","id":"80178480d0","index":1},{"title":"EU Political","type":"section","id":"506324822d","index":2},{"title":"Opinion","type":"articleType","id":"806f303338","index":2},{"title":"Africa","type":"section","id":"5041632de8","index":3},{"title":"Feature","type":"articleType","id":"8088e5421e","index":3},{"title":"Migration","type":"section","id":"50192d9286","index":4},{"title":"EUobserved","type":"articleType","id":"803b7f3d61","index":4},{"title":"Green Economy","type":"section","id":"50739332cc","index":5},{"title":"Infographic","type":"articleType","id":"803c3938ca","index":5},{"title":"Health & Society","type":"section","id":"508bf89c3a","index":6},{"title":"Exclusive","type":"articleType","id":"80636814db","index":6},{"title":"EU & the World","type":"section","id":"5002452f20","index":7},{"title":"Column","type":"articleType","id":"807976613d","index":7},{"title":"Rule of Law","type":"section","id":"5019a5cd48","index":8},{"title":"Interview","type":"articleType","id":"80d5f984c1","index":8},{"title":"Agenda","type":"section","id":"5050d2d5c0","index":9},{"title":"Insight","type":"articleType","id":"80388bedaf","index":9},{"title":"Digital","type":"section","id":"503f501420","index":10},{"title":"Stakeholder","type":"articleType","id":"800f0876e9","index":10},{"title":"Podcast","type":"articleType","id":"8049ac606e","index":11},{"title":"Video","type":"articleType","id":"809641de67","index":12},{"title":"Inside EUobserver","type":"section","id":"505e0db4ca","index":13},{"title":"Poll","type":"articleType","id":"80d2c267f7","index":13},{"title":"Stakeholders","type":"section","id":"50a6a0fafb","index":14},{"title":"Book Review","type":"articleType","id":"8010b09e0f","index":14},{"title":"Ukraine","type":"section","id":"50adaaad9b","index":15},{"title":"Letter","type":"articleType","id":"80d8db1c49","index":15},{"title":"Magazine","type":"section","id":"50b734f76d","index":16},{"title":"Comment Guidelines","type":"staticPage","id":"404a6c8a6a"},{"title":"About Us","type":"staticPage","id":"40775cd392"},{"title":"Privacy Policy","type":"staticPage","id":"4079339248"},{"title":"Advertising","type":"staticPage","id":"40f6cce801"},{"title":"Editorial Corrections","type":"staticPage","id":"40fead7987"},{"title":"Who's who in the EU Parliament committees?","type":"section","id":"505b1e6788"},{"title":"Magazine","type":"articleType","id":"8089aaaa85"}]},"c":10897860668393,"s":2648},"4902705053703":{"v":{"id":"ar382a781f","body":"<p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><i><em class=\"rte-italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">This story is produced by </em></i><a href=\"https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/france-spearheads-member-state-campaign-dilute-european-artificial-intelligence-regulation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" class=\"rte-link\"><i><em class=\"rte-italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Investigate Europe</em></i></a><i><em class=\"rte-italic\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">, a cross-border team of journalists based across the continent. Versions are being published with Arte (France), EU Observer (Belgium), Frontstory (Belgium) and InfoLibre (Span).</em></i></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><br></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">On 3 October 2024, a man in his 50s, born in the Soviet Union, joined a small but dubious club. Thanks to a sentence handed down by a court in Rotterdam, the man, whose identity has not been made public, became one of just 30 people known to have been given a custodial sentence for sanctions breaches in the European Union since 2017.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Investigators searching his office had uncovered nearly €260,000 in cash, wrapped in carbon paper and hidden at the bottom of a safe. When he was arrested, the defendant offered an unconventional explanation, court records reveal: part of the money had come from the sale of a car and part, he claimed, from his activities as a gigolo.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">But an Excel file seized by Dutch authorities told a very different story. It revealed a commission system for sales of aeronautical spare parts to Tajik, Serbian and Turkish companies, with Russian firms as end customers: Ural Airlines, S7 Engineering and Siberia Airlines.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Statistically speaking, he was unlucky to be jailed. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">There have only been 11 custodial sentences, stemming from nine cases, handed out for Russia-related sanction crimes since 2017 — eight have come since 2022. Most concerned the sale of prohibited goods – drones, electronics or machinery.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Sentences ranged from 40 days to seven years, the latter in the case of a German individual charged in November 2023 for exporting machinery which can be used to manufacture sniper rifles. The average sentence was three years.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The data is part of an </span><a href=\"https://www.investigate-europe.eu/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer\" class=\"rte-link\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Investigate Europe</span></a><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"> analysis of convictions relating to EU sanctions law, based on case information compiled by a lawyer at firm </span><a href=\"https://www.duanemorris.com/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer\" class=\"rte-link\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Duane Morris</span></a><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Since 2017 only 30 custodial sentences have been handed out around Europe for violations of EU sanctions law, the data indicates.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">These included a prosecution for the import of illegal timber from Myanmar, the export of gas turbines to Iran and several terrorism-related prosecutions. On top of this, approximately €430m in fines have been imposed for sanctions law breaches since 2017, Duane Morris’s Mark Handley estimates. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">There are currently 36 sanction regimes in place at EU level, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals and entities. Half relate to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  </span></p><h2 class=\"rte-h2\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Implementation left to member states</span></h2><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Sanctions are decided unanimously among the 27 member states, but their implementation falls to national authorities. Monitoring at both the EU and national level is often incomplete, hindered by insufficient human and financial resources, as well as poor coordination.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">For example, the European Commission unit responsible for sanctions employs just 25 people, Investigate Europe learnt through a freedom of information request. They are tasked not just with following the work of hundreds of competent national authorities, but also with preparing upcoming sanction packages.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">“If they burn out, I can understand why,” one national sanctions expert said, speaking on condition of anonymity. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">However, David O'Sullivan, the EU's special sanctions envoy, estimates that across different departments, there are 80 to 100 EU officials working on the issue. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">“Is it enough? Probably not. But then the public service always feels it never has quite enough staff and everybody else thinks there are probably too many public servants,” he comments.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Across all EU staff and experts in the different member states, there are 300 and 350 people coordinating implementation. To compare, Washington probably employs between 700 and 800 people working on analysing and monitoring all sanctions, O’Sullivan told Investigate Europe.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">On enforcement, it is very hard to get a clear overview of just how much states are prosecuting. Investigate Europe contacted authorities in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Portugal and the UK.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">In most cases, there was no response. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Ireland said that investigations were underway, but that not a single prosecution had taken place since 2014, when the first restrictive measures on Russia were adopted for the invasion of Crimea.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Poland, for its part, reported 275 investigations in progress, but provided no information on any past convictions.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">After countless exchanges with Belgian authorities, they were unable to provide figures. “It is not currently possible to distinguish cases relating to European sanctions from other cases in the database of the Public Prosecutor's Office,” a spokesperson for the body explained.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">In Germany, a recent </span><a href=\"https://blogs.duanemorris.com/europeansanctionsenforcement/2024/07/22/germany-sanctions-enforcement-statistics-at-least-1988-investigations-since-february-2022/\" class=\"rte-link\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">investigation</span></a><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"> concluded that there were just under 2,000 investigations underway. Across the EU, there have been 4,000 investigations since 2022, according to Duane Morris.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">However, there could be more investigations or convictions than member states are letting on. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">\"France hasn't published statistics on the total number of investigations that have been started since the start of 2022, or something like that. But there is absolutely enforcement activity going on,” Handley said.</span></p><h2 class=\"rte-h2\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Lack of clarity</span></h2><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The EU Commission is often only informed of investigations and judicial proceedings once they have been wrapped up, one well-informed official told Investigate Europe on condition of anonymity. The commission did not provide any information on current cases when approached by Investigate Europe. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">To compound matters, there is often a lack of clarity among member states about what exactly the texts of sanctions regulations mean in practice. Authorities regularly make differing interpretations of how to implement sanctions on the ground, as well as how strongly to enforce them.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">For example, many member states only prosecute when there is intention to circumvent sanctions.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">“You know those awful spy movies where someone casually leaves a briefcase by a bench, and a few minutes later, someone else comes by to pick it up?” Handley explains. “That kind of scenario, where you're intentionally making something accessible to a sanctioned person, is totally illegal.”</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">But the Netherlands has a stricter interpretation, not necessarily requiring intention for someone to be prosecuted for breaking sanctions rules. The Dutch are considered some of the best at executing EU sanctions, even though they only have about 16 people responsible for implementing them.</span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">EU authorities are aware of the enforcement problem. </span></p><p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">A new law, set to be introduced from May 2025, should start sharpening and harmonising the penalties assigned to violations of sanctions. That could possibly mean that more people join the rather exclusive club of those sentenced for sanctions violations.</span></p>","bio":"<p class=\"rte-p\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://x.com/p_hansens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" class=\"rte-link\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Pascal Hansens</span></a><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"> is a reporter with </span><a href=\"https://www.investigate-europe.eu/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer\" class=\"rte-link\"><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Investigate Europe</span></a><span style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">.</span></p>","abstract":"The EU relies on punitive measures to project its will on the world stage. But when it comes to upholding sanctions law at home, enforcement is weak and monitoring is patchy.\n","headline":"EU dropping the ball on sanctions enforcement ","location":"Brussels","publishDate":1740636000000,"membership":0,"status":2,"section":[{"type":"section","id":"5002452f20","title":"EU & the World","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"5019a5cd48","title":"Rule of Law","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"50adaaad9b","title":"Ukraine","hidden":false}],"related":[{"id":"ar21b61151","headline":"Auditors slam lengthy EU law enforcement and infringement procedures","section":[{"type":"section","id":"5019a5cd48","title":"Rule of Law","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"506324822d","title":"EU Political","hidden":false}]},{"id":"ar9f4c7f7a","headline":"The rule of law report is toothless — and member states know it","section":[{"type":"section","id":"5019a5cd48","title":"Rule of Law","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"506324822d","title":"EU Political","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"50dee1923e","title":"Opinion","hidden":false}]},{"id":"are8a4c4ee","headline":"Toothless 'infringement'?: EU Commission leaves member states unpunished for dozens of violations","section":[{"type":"section","id":"5019a5cd48","title":"Rule of Law","hidden":false},{"type":"section","id":"5022dd639c","title":"Investigations","hidden":true},{"type":"section","id":"506324822d","title":"EU Political","hidden":false}]}],"contributorsText":"Pascal Hansens","articleType":[{"type":"articleType","id":"80e452251d","title":"Investigation","hidden":false}],"headerImageCaption":"There are currently 36 sanction regimes in place at EU level, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals and entities. Half relate to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 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style="background-image:url(https://files-production-saulx-eu-observer-production-en-ci-hyp-xx0.based.dev/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=1650/5980524a0fdf8959f83746a9f2eb2b16.jpeg)"></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:0;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:space-between;margin-top:32px" class="_1rhpht"><div class="n m d e jo03pt _1a0uq7c" style="max-width:798px;margin-left:0;background-color:white;border:1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.40);padding-top:76px;padding-bottom:54px;margin-top:-124px"><div class="n m d e" style="max-width:620px"><div class="_1l7t0xj"><figcaption class="a if ig e0 ih _1s9j8lm">There are currently 36 sanction regimes in place at EU level, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals and entities. Half relate to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/@tingeyinjurylawfirm">(Photo: Unsplash)</a></figcaption><div class="bf no86se"><h2 class="cj cr cs ct oz3u7r _1r8g6j9" style="color:var(--orange);text-align:center;margin-bottom:12px">Investigation</h2></div><h1 class="cj da ct db b0 _1ggui0i _1tfsgna" style="color:var(--black);max-width:600px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto">EU dropping the ball on sanctions enforcement </h1><div class="n m d e _1tu1757 znxu01" style="max-width:620px"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:0;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:space-between" class="_1f8v0rb"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:12px;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin-top:32px" class="y5j2if"><div class="ii j k s ij dr" style="border:1px solid var(--orange)"><span class="d0 d1 d8" style="font-family:GeistRegular;color:black;text-decoration:none">Free Article</span></div><button 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856V855.998ZM832.564 855.998C832.544 878.081 814.647 895.978 792.566 895.998H496.564V527.998H832.564V855.998ZM896.564 439.998C896.544 462.081 878.647 479.978 856.566 479.998H496.564V303.998H856.564C878.647 304.018 896.544 321.915 896.564 343.996V343.998V439.998Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></div></button></div></div><div style="padding:12px 0px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:0;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:space-between;margin:32px auto;border-top:1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12)" class="_1qi3iy6"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:start;margin-bottom:-4px" class="_18i0fl6"><a href="/section/5002452f20"><div class="j"><div class="d0 d1 d8 d9 cn c5 co cp cq _1a2s23i" style="font-family:GeistRegular;color:var(--orange);text-decoration:underline">EU & the World</div><div class="cu"></div></div></a><a href="/section/5019a5cd48"><div class="j"><div class="d0 d1 d8 d9 cn c5 co cp cq _1a2s23i" style="font-family:GeistRegular;color:var(--orange);text-decoration:underline">Rule of Law</div><div class="cu"></div></div></a><a href="/section/50adaaad9b"><div class="j"><div class="d0 d1 d8 d9 cn c5 co cp cq _1a2s23i" style="font-family:GeistRegular;color:var(--orange);text-decoration:underline">Ukraine</div><div class="cu"></div></div></a></div><span class="d0 d1 d8" style="font-family:GeistRegular;color:var(--grey);text-decoration:none;margin-top:16px"><span class="dx fz"><a href="/search/Pascal%20Hansens"><span class="z3410u">by Pascal Hansens</span></a></span><span class="dx il im">, Brussels, </span><div style="margin-top:8px"></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="n m d e bryade" style="max-width:620px;margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:76px"><div class="cj d8 dl _150jpfw v3ktue _8mu7lq _1p9mi6m _1v5npaz _1h8xwyr yz64aj _18qfyyg tq69qt shy7gc _18qgrsu _143c5sd _17sqer0 mxxezy _1ykpvl6" style="font-size:18px;line-height:30px;position:relative"><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><i><em class="rte-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This story is produced by </em></i><a href="https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/france-spearheads-member-state-campaign-dilute-european-artificial-intelligence-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><i><em class="rte-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigate Europe</em></i></a><i><em class="rte-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, a cross-border team of journalists based across the continent. Versions are being published with Arte (France), EU Observer (Belgium), Frontstory (Belgium) and InfoLibre (Span).</em></i></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On 3 October 2024, a man in his 50s, born in the Soviet Union, joined a small but dubious club. Thanks to a sentence handed down by a court in Rotterdam, the man, whose identity has not been made public, became one of just 30 people known to have been given a custodial sentence for sanctions breaches in the European Union since 2017.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigators searching his office had uncovered nearly €260,000 in cash, wrapped in carbon paper and hidden at the bottom of a safe. When he was arrested, the defendant offered an unconventional explanation, court records reveal: part of the money had come from the sale of a car and part, he claimed, from his activities as a gigolo.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But an Excel file seized by Dutch authorities told a very different story. It revealed a commission system for sales of aeronautical spare parts to Tajik, Serbian and Turkish companies, with Russian firms as end customers: Ural Airlines, S7 Engineering and Siberia Airlines.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Statistically speaking, he was unlucky to be jailed. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There have only been 11 custodial sentences, stemming from nine cases, handed out for Russia-related sanction crimes since 2017 — eight have come since 2022. Most concerned the sale of prohibited goods – drones, electronics or machinery.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sentences ranged from 40 days to seven years, the latter in the case of a German individual charged in November 2023 for exporting machinery which can be used to manufacture sniper rifles. The average sentence was three years.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The data is part of an </span><a href="https://www.investigate-europe.eu/" target="_self" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigate Europe</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> analysis of convictions relating to EU sanctions law, based on case information compiled by a lawyer at firm </span><a href="https://www.duanemorris.com/" target="_self" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Duane Morris</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Since 2017 only 30 custodial sentences have been handed out around Europe for violations of EU sanctions law, the data indicates.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These included a prosecution for the import of illegal timber from Myanmar, the export of gas turbines to Iran and several terrorism-related prosecutions. On top of this, approximately €430m in fines have been imposed for sanctions law breaches since 2017, Duane Morris’s Mark Handley estimates. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There are currently 36 sanction regimes in place at EU level, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals and entities. Half relate to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  </span></p><h2 class="rte-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Implementation left to member states</span></h2><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sanctions are decided unanimously among the 27 member states, but their implementation falls to national authorities. Monitoring at both the EU and national level is often incomplete, hindered by insufficient human and financial resources, as well as poor coordination.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, the European Commission unit responsible for sanctions employs just 25 people, Investigate Europe learnt through a freedom of information request. They are tasked not just with following the work of hundreds of competent national authorities, but also with preparing upcoming sanction packages.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“If they burn out, I can understand why,” one national sanctions expert said, speaking on condition of anonymity. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">However, David O'Sullivan, the EU's special sanctions envoy, estimates that across different departments, there are 80 to 100 EU officials working on the issue. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is it enough? Probably not. But then the public service always feels it never has quite enough staff and everybody else thinks there are probably too many public servants,” he comments.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Across all EU staff and experts in the different member states, there are 300 and 350 people coordinating implementation. To compare, Washington probably employs between 700 and 800 people working on analysing and monitoring all sanctions, O’Sullivan told Investigate Europe.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On enforcement, it is very hard to get a clear overview of just how much states are prosecuting. Investigate Europe contacted authorities in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Portugal and the UK.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In most cases, there was no response. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ireland said that investigations were underway, but that not a single prosecution had taken place since 2014, when the first restrictive measures on Russia were adopted for the invasion of Crimea.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Poland, for its part, reported 275 investigations in progress, but provided no information on any past convictions.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After countless exchanges with Belgian authorities, they were unable to provide figures. “It is not currently possible to distinguish cases relating to European sanctions from other cases in the database of the Public Prosecutor's Office,” a spokesperson for the body explained.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Germany, a recent </span><a href="https://blogs.duanemorris.com/europeansanctionsenforcement/2024/07/22/germany-sanctions-enforcement-statistics-at-least-1988-investigations-since-february-2022/" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">investigation</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> concluded that there were just under 2,000 investigations underway. Across the EU, there have been 4,000 investigations since 2022, according to Duane Morris.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">However, there could be more investigations or convictions than member states are letting on. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"France hasn't published statistics on the total number of investigations that have been started since the start of 2022, or something like that. But there is absolutely enforcement activity going on,” Handley said.</span></p><h2 class="rte-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lack of clarity</span></h2><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The EU Commission is often only informed of investigations and judicial proceedings once they have been wrapped up, one well-informed official told Investigate Europe on condition of anonymity. The commission did not provide any information on current cases when approached by Investigate Europe. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To compound matters, there is often a lack of clarity among member states about what exactly the texts of sanctions regulations mean in practice. Authorities regularly make differing interpretations of how to implement sanctions on the ground, as well as how strongly to enforce them.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, many member states only prosecute when there is intention to circumvent sanctions.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know those awful spy movies where someone casually leaves a briefcase by a bench, and a few minutes later, someone else comes by to pick it up?” Handley explains. “That kind of scenario, where you're intentionally making something accessible to a sanctioned person, is totally illegal.”</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But the Netherlands has a stricter interpretation, not necessarily requiring intention for someone to be prosecuted for breaking sanctions rules. The Dutch are considered some of the best at executing EU sanctions, even though they only have about 16 people responsible for implementing them.</span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">EU authorities are aware of the enforcement problem. </span></p><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A new law, set to be introduced from May 2025, should start sharpening and harmonising the penalties assigned to violations of sanctions. That could possibly mean that more people join the rather exclusive club of those sentenced for sanctions violations.</span></p></div></div><div class="n m d e _1h3f3w7" style="max-width:620px"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:12px;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:start;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);padding-bottom:24px;margin-bottom:24px"><button class="cu s k c4 hb j hc ds c0vzui _5yrser" style="border:var(--border);color:var(--black);height:32px;width:32px;border-radius:50%;user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-webkit-user-select:none;padding:0;position:relative;cursor:pointer"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:8px;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center"><svg width="30" height="30" viewBox="0 0 30 30" fill="none"><path d="M16.1971 9V11.8696C10.0748 12.7623 8.85654 17.1304 9.01273 19.2029C12.2613 16.9072 15.1559 16.8647 16.1971 17.1304V20L22.4444 14.7391L16.1971 9Z" stroke="currentColor"></path></svg></div></button></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:6px;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:start" class="_1iogabq"><a href="/section/5002452f20"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">EU & the World</span></a><a href="/section/5019a5cd48"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Rule of Law</span></a><a href="/section/50adaaad9b"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Ukraine</span></a><a href="/article-type/80e452251d"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Investigation</span></a></div><div><h4 class="dc dd ct de _1piy4mz" style="color:var(--black);margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:12px">Author Bio</h4><div class="cj d8 dl _150jpfw v3ktue _8mu7lq _1p9mi6m _1v5npaz _1h8xwyr yz64aj _18qfyyg tq69qt shy7gc _18qgrsu _143c5sd _17sqer0 mxxezy" style="font-size:16px;line-height:24px"><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><a href="https://x.com/p_hansens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pascal Hansens</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a reporter with </span><a href="https://www.investigate-europe.eu/" target="_self" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigate Europe</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p></div></div><div class="do"><h4 class="dc dd ct de _1piy4mz" style="color:var(--black);margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:45px">Related articles</h4><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:start;grid-template-columns:1fr" class="twgy2l"><a href="/rule-of-law/ar21b61151" style="width:100%"><div class="cj m bl ds dy dh cy d6 dz e0 e1 _2oun9l">Auditors slam lengthy EU law enforcement and infringement procedures</div></a><a href="/rule-of-law/ar9f4c7f7a" style="width:100%"><div class="cj m bl ds dy dh cy d6 dz e0 e1 _2oun9l">The rule of law report is toothless — and member states know it</div></a><a href="/rule-of-law/are8a4c4ee" style="width:100%"><div class="cj m bl ds dy dh cy d6 dz e0 e1 _2oun9l">Toothless 'infringement'?: EU Commission leaves member states unpunished for dozens of violations</div></a></div></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:16px;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:space-between;max-width:300px;margin-left:32px;padding-top:8px" class="_1g3nzm6"><figcaption class="h0 h1 _16firde">There are currently 36 sanction regimes in place at EU level, targeting approximately 5,000 individuals and entities. Half relate to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/@tingeyinjurylawfirm">(Photo: Unsplash)</a></figcaption><h4 class="dc dd ct de _1piy4mz" style="color:var(--black)">Tags</h4><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:start;margin-bottom:24px" class="_1ak3dcx"><a href="/section/5002452f20"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">EU & the World</span></a><a href="/section/5019a5cd48"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Rule of Law</span></a><a href="/section/50adaaad9b"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Ukraine</span></a><a href="/article-type/80e452251d"><span class="dm dc df dn do dp cy ct dq dr ds _1g6rp5t" style="white-space:nowrap">Investigation</span></a></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;align-items:start;justify-content:start"><h4 class="dc dd ct de _1piy4mz" style="color:var(--black)">Author Bio</h4><div class="cj d8 dl _150jpfw v3ktue _8mu7lq _1p9mi6m _1v5npaz _1h8xwyr yz64aj _18qfyyg tq69qt shy7gc _18qgrsu _143c5sd _17sqer0 mxxezy" style="font-size:16px;line-height:24px"><p class="rte-p" dir="ltr"><a href="https://x.com/p_hansens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pascal Hansens</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a reporter with </span><a href="https://www.investigate-europe.eu/" target="_self" rel="noreferrer" class="rte-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigate Europe</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p></div></div><div class="ch c6 ci c4 mxeqxb"><span class="d0 d1 d8" 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