**UK Fails to Convict Anyone for Breaking Russian Sanctions**
The UK has not convicted anyone of breaching Russian sanctions, despite a law being introduced four years ago to allow for convictions.
Financial sanctions were put in place after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and invaded Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions include bans on exporting weapons technology and helping President Vladimir Putin’s government.
A letter from the National Crime Agency (NCA) to MPs said that cases are complex and lengthy, taking an average of seven years to complete. The NCA has brought charges only once, against a former governor of a Crimean city, who was charged with breaking sanctions and money laundering.
**Sanctions Not as Effective as Hoped**
Critics have long claimed that Western sanctions on Russia are not as effective as hoped. Figures last year showed the Russian economy was growing, despite sanctions being in place.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), which enforces UK sanctions, received an extra £50m to improve enforcement. In October, it revealed 37 investigations into UK-linked businesses for potentially breaking Russian oil sanctions.
**One Company Fined**
In September, the OFSI fined a London-based concierge company £15,000 for having a sanctioned individual on its client list. The company had made or received payments involving someone whose assets were frozen due to sanctions.
**Government Under Pressure**
The government is under pressure to demonstrate consequences for breaching sanctions. Treasury Select Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier said it’s “critical” that the government shows there are penalties for breaking sanctions.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he would take action against UK companies helping Russia, but no such action has been taken yet. He did appoint an anti-corruption champion, Baroness Margaret Hodge, in December.