The German public justice system has taken decisive steps in enforcing sanctions rules, with the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office confirming that two individuals are under investigation for alleged violations. The report traveled through TASS, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities treat sanctions breaches that involve cross-border trade and dual-use goods.
According to available statements, on February 16, 2024, prosecutors filed a criminal complaint in the State Security Senate of the Higher Regional Court in Stuttgart. The case names two suspects, Waldemar W. and Nathalie S., described as German and Russian citizens, as the respondents in a process that underscores the high priority given to compliance with international embargo measures. The filing signals that federal prosecutors view the matter as a potentially serious offense affecting national security and foreign policy interests tied to sanctions regimes.
Details released by the authorities indicate that Waldemar W. established a commercial enterprise in Saarland dedicated to the international trade of electronic components. Since January 2020, this company is alleged to have supplied its products to a Russian company, forming the core activity around which the case centers. The flow of goods and the timing of shipments are being scrutinized to determine whether the business operations violated the sanctions framework in place at the time, and whether any efforts were made to obscure the nature of the trade or the end users involved.
Earlier, Bulgarian police reported the detention of three Russians in connection with the export of dual-use goods to Russia in contravention of sanctions. The announcements from the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicated that twelve individuals were taken into custody during the course of the investigations. Investigators, including Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Pavlova, noted that checks extended across multiple cities. They further stated that one of the detained individuals had registered a company in Plovdiv that acquired dual-use items valued at around €4 million. The items listed included optical sights and aviation radios, underscoring the strategic nature of the contraband and the potential national security implications of such transactions.
In addition to the Bulgarian operations, prosecutors described a broader international network involved in sanctions evasion, mentioning five detained foreigners, among them Russians and Belarusian citizens. The collective actions across jurisdictions illustrate the cross-border efforts of law enforcement to disrupt illicit supply chains and enforce export controls designed to limit the flow of sensitive equipment and technology to restricted destinations. The ongoing investigations emphasize the importance of robust regulatory compliance, rigorous due diligence, and timely reporting by businesses that operate in or through the European market.
There were also reported instances within the regional sphere that involve the illegal trafficking of valuable materials. Specifically, authorities indicated that 286 kilograms of amber were illegally exported to Lithuania in what appears to be a broader pattern of illicit trade in natural resources. The case underscores the complexity of sanctions enforcement, which often intersects with other regulatory regimes governing trade in precious materials and raw commodities. The combined investigations across different countries highlight the coordinated approach taken by prosecutors and police agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals involved in export control violations and opaque trade practices.
As the legal proceedings unfold, observers expect that the Stuttgart case will contribute to a clearer understanding of how individuals and entities move to evade financial restrictions and trade controls. The authorities have stressed the importance of transparency in corporate structures, real-plate ownership of shipping channels, and the necessity for due diligence that aligns with international sanctions obligations. The ongoing process seeks to determine the exact roles of the named individuals, the extent of the alleged trafficking networks, and the potential impact on partner companies, suppliers, and customers who rely on compliant supply chains.