VDD requests criminal prosecution for violation of EU sanctions

VDD initiated criminal proceedings against the person on 14 April 2025 on suspicion of committing an offence under Section 84, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Law, namely, a violation of EU sanctions.

During the investigation, the Service established that since 2022 the person had been providing programming services remotely to a company in Russia. In addition, for several months the person received salary payments to an account held with the Russian bank “Alfa-Bank”, which is included in the EU sanctions lists, thereby – contrary to the prohibition – making funds available to a designated entity.

VDD underlines that, in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, residents of EU Member States are prohibited from providing programming and many other services to companies in Russia. Likewise, residents of EU Member States are prohibited from directly or indirectly making funds and economic resources available to natural and legal persons included in the EU sanctions lists.

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia (FIU Latvia) notes that the provision of prohibited services is one of the most frequently identified typologies in sanctions violations. In practice, such violations are often disguised as remote services or outsourcing arrangements. FIU Latvia therefore encourages financial institutions and other obliged entities to carefully assess whether such transactions comply with the applicable sanctions regime.

VDD reminds that no person shall be considered guilty until the guilt of such person has been established in accordance with the procedures laid down by law.

Source: VDD