**Russia‘s Former Proxy in Crimea Convicted of Breaching UK Sanctions**
A London court has made history by convicting a Russian official for breaching British sanctions. Dmitry Ovsiannikov, the former head of occupied Sevastopol in Crimea, was found guilty on April 9 of violating UK sanctions.
The 48-year-old Ovsiannikov was accused of opening a bank account and having his wife transfer tens of thousands of pounds to it while he was subject to British sanctions. His brother, Alexei Owsjanikow, was also convicted of two counts of sanctions breach.
This is the first prosecution case based on the UK’s Russian Regulations of 2019. The regulations were imposed by the UK in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and further tightened after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ovsiannikov was appointed as chief of the occupation administration in Sevastopol in 2017, but resigned in 2019 amid criticism. Despite existing sanctions, he moved to London in 2023 and acquired a British passport.
The UK’s Russia regime has sanctioned over 1,700 individuals and 380 entities, making this conviction a significant milestone in enforcing sanctions against Russian officials.
**Commentary**
This conviction is a significant step forward in holding Russian officials accountable for breaching international sanctions. The fact that Ovsiannikov was able to acquire a British passport despite existing sanctions raises questions about the UK’s vetting process and its effectiveness in preventing sanctioned individuals from accessing the country.
The case also highlights the importance of enforcing sanctions against those who seek to circumvent them. As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of Russia’s aggression, it is crucial that countries like the UK demonstrate a strong commitment to enforcing sanctions and holding perpetrators accountable.
**Analysis**
This conviction marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to enforcing sanctions against Russian officials. While the UK has previously imposed targeted sanctions on Russia, this case demonstrates a willingness to take more robust action against those who seek to breach them.
The fact that Ovsiannikov was able to acquire a British passport despite existing sanctions raises questions about the effectiveness of the UK’s vetting process. It also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in enforcing sanctions against Russian officials.
As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of Russia’s aggression, it is crucial that countries like the UK demonstrate a strong commitment to enforcing sanctions and holding perpetrators accountable. This conviction is an important step forward in achieving this goal.