In Lithuania, a pretrial investigation has been launched into the supply of high-tech equipment produced by Lithuanian companies to Russia. According to the information available, a Russian citizen with a temporary residence permit in Lithuania organized the shipment of this equipment to scientific institutions and research centers connected with the Russian defense-industrial complex.
This information was reported by LRT.
The Lithuanian State Security Department reported that the investigation began after identifying possible violations of international sanctions. On January 14, officers from the Financial Crime Investigation Service conducted searches, detained suspects, and questioned witnesses. The main suspect, a Russian citizen, was given a preventive measure of one-month detention. In total, ten individuals have been charged.
“Russian entities are looking for ways to obtain Lithuanian products by circumventing international sanctions. The products of Lithuanian companies operating in the field of information technology and telecommunications, as well as other high-technology companies, are of interest to Russian entities operating in the security and defence industries, which contribute to the development of new technologies,” the press release reads.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Latvia, Estonia, and Eurojust. According to Lithuanian authorities, Russian entities actively seek ways to bypass sanctions, using complex schemes involving intermediaries and companies from third countries. Orders received from Russian clients were directed to defense-industrial organizations despite European Union prohibitions.
“The main tactics to circumvent the sanctions remain unchanged. To circumvent the sanctions, long chains of intermediaries are created, companies operating in third countries are used, and ways are found to export goods to Russian companies not yet subject to international sanctions and then pass them on to the real recipients, who are linked to Russia’s security and defence industry,” the Lithuanian law enforcement said.
Law enforcement officials note that sanctions evasion schemes remain relevant despite measures taken. Upon discovering violations, Russian intermediaries quickly search for new ways to bypass restrictions. Violators face fines or imprisonment for up to five years.
“Even if a specific case of sanctions evasion is detected and prevented, Russian entities or their intermediaries start looking for new ways to circumvent the sanctions,” it added.
