Lithuania Opens Over 50 Cases on Violations of International Sanctions by Russia and Belarus Worth Nearly €2 Million

The Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) reported on Tuesday that seven people and four companies are suspected of violating existing international sanctions and smuggling goods worth almost €2 million to Russia.

In total, the Lithuanian prosecutor's office has opened more than 50 cases and is investigating alleged violations of international sanctions against Russia and Belarus. This was stated by the country's Prosecutor General Nida Grunskene, LRT reports.

According to her, one case of arms smuggling has already been brought to court.

‘If I'm not mistaken, there are currently more than 50 pre-trial investigations [into sanctions violations]. I know that decisions have been rejected in several cases. The process is ongoing, we have enough pre-trial investigations,’ Grunskene told reporters in parliament on Tuesday.

‘There is one case of arms smuggling, if I am not mistaken, that has been referred to the court,’ the prosecutor general added.

Asked whether these cases involved Lithuanian companies, Grunskene said that they were different organisations. 

Last week, Lithuanian customs announced that it had fined a Lithuanian car export company €13.6 million for violating sanctions. Later, several sources told BNS that the company was Biovarda, based in Vilnius.