Violations of sanctions against Russia and Belarus will lead to tougher penalties

On Wednesday, the government approved amendments to a law proposing to increase the liability for violations of international sanctions.

The amendments, which were approved by the cabinet, were drafted by the Ministry of Justice.

According to the Minister of Justice, Rimantas Mockus, the existing legal framework does not respond to the challenges of the current geopolitical situation, and it is therefore important to provide for effective legal tools for the application of sanctions, in particular those against Russia and Belarus.

According to the ministry, the proposed amendments to the law are aimed at providing for more effective criminal and administrative liability for violations of European Union (EU) restrictive measures.

The new regulation extends criminal and administrative liability for all breaches and circumventions of EU restrictive measures referred to in Lithuania's draft law on international sanctions.

„Criminal liability would arise for the perpetrator in cases where the violation of EU restrictive measures would cause significant damage, which would include significant property and reputational damage“, – emphasises the Ministry of Justice.

According to the proposed amendments, if a third-country national were to violate a restriction imposed by the EU, for example, to dispose of restricted assets, to provide prohibited services or to cross the Lithuanian border, the perpetrators would face a 5-year prison sentence.

Companies could face a fine of up to 15% of their annual turnover for similar offences.

The Ministry points out that where infringements by third-country nationals and legal persons would not lead to criminal liability, the administrative measures provided for in the Law on International Sanctions or the Code of Administrative Offences would apply.

After the Government approves these draft laws, they will be submitted to the Seimas.