The European Parliament has accepted criminal liability for violation of EU sanctions against Russia.
543 MEPs voted in favor, 45 voted against, and 27 abstained. The law criminalizes the violation and circumvention of EU sanctions: in particular, refusal to freeze funds, non-compliance with travel bans or arms embargoes, transfer of funds to sanctioned persons, and doing business with state-owned enterprises of sanctioned countries. Circumvention of sanctions is defined as a criminal offense.
“Violation of EU sanctions, in particular those against Russia, must be punished,” the statement said.