Dutch trio held over suspected contravention of EU sanctions on Russia

The Investigative Service of the Customs and Tax Administration, FIOD, detained three Dutch nationals as part of an international police operation, as reported by the National Prosecution Office (OM) on Tuesday.

The detainees are suspected of contravening sanctions set by the European Union against Russia by participating in an international smuggling network. The individuals arrested are alleged to have supplied Moscow with technological goods and laboratory materials, potentially usable for military purposes.

The suspects, two males aged 56 and 57 respectively, and a 54-year-old female, were employees of a company which acquired goods in Europe and arranged for their shipment to Russia via Eastern European countries. The prosecution has not released the name of the company. However, information from the Dutch media suggests it might be ETW-Tekhnologika B.V. located in Voorschoten, owned by Russian businessman Mikhail Volovik.

As part of this international investigation, Eurojust (European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation) and Europol supported extensive sweeps at 14 locations in the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, and Canada in early January.

On Tuesday, the court concluded that the suspects should continue to be held in detention for an additional fourteen days. The prosecution is also searching for the company's owner.