Czech authorities raid firm over suspected sanctions evasion tied to Russia

Czech customs officials have raided a company suspected of circumventing international sanctions against Russia. 

The operation took place on April 15 at a facility near the town of Děčín, close to the German border. Authorities launched the investigation over suspicions that the company had been exporting its products to Russia indirectly via Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye in recent years, potentially bypassing sanctions imposed on Moscow, Caliber.Az reports per Czech media. 

No arrests were made during the raid. The company involved had previously denied any wrongdoing or violations of the sanctions regime.

Initial media reports suggested the firm was TOS Varnsdorf, a manufacturer of industrial machinery. This was later confirmed by both company representatives and prosecutors.

Prague’s chief prosecutor, Zdeněk Štěpánek, stated that criminal proceedings have been initiated to investigate a possible breach of international sanctions.

By Sabina Mammadli