The German company Gebr. Heinemann, known as one of the largest duty-free store operators, continues to supply luxury goods, including perfumes, to Russia, bypassing sanctions. This activity persists despite sanctions imposed on Russia. The company previously managed a network of stores in Russian airports in partnership with Russian oligarchs, including Arkady Rotenberg, who has been under international sanctions since 2015, as reported by LRT.
Despite claims of ceasing such activities, Gebr. Heinemann continues to supply luxury goods to Russia, where they are sold in duty-free shops.
The company also operates actively in Lithuania, managing Heinemann Duty Free stores in Vilnius and Kaunas airports. These stores are being renovated in preparation for the opening of a new terminal at Vilnius Airport, planned for February next year.
Lithuanian airports conducted an international tender, in which the company retained the right to manage the stores.
However, Gebr. Heinemann's ongoing operations in Russia raise questions about their compliance with European sanctions policy. Lithuanian authorities have not yet discussed the potential impact of the company's cooperation with Russian partners on national security.
