Latvia’s State Security Service (Valsts drošības dienests (VDD)) has asked prosecutors to bring charges against a Latvian citizen for allegedly breaching European Union (European Union) sanctions by providing unauthorised programming services to a company in Russia (Russia). The criminal proceedings for the suspected violation of EU sanctions were launched on April 14 last year.
According to the investigation, the person had been providing remote programming services to a Russian company since 2022. In addition, for several months the person received their salary into an account at Alfa-Bank, a Russian bank included on the EU sanctions list. Investigators say this meant financial resources were being made available in connection with a sanctioned entity, contrary to the applicable prohibitions.
The Latvian security service reminded the public that, in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, EU citizens 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 financial or economic resources available to individuals and legal entities included in the EU sanctions lists.
