Arrests in Netherlands over alleged violations of Russian timber import sanctions

Posted on June 17, 2024   |  

The Netherlands authorities have apprehended 2 individuals for allegedly breaching timber import sanctions related to Russian wood products.

The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) in the Netherlands conducted the arrests on June 4.

The detained individuals, a 73-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman from Ridderkerk, held directorial positions in two companies.

They stand accused of violating trade restrictions by purchasing and importing Russian timber products, likely birch plywood, despite sanctions.

Additionally, they are suspected of evading sanctions by procuring Russian wood from Chinese suppliers.

The European Union imposed a ban on Russian wood imports in April 2022 following the Ukraine conflict.