Toms Platacis and Paulis Iljenkovs on Countering Sanctions Evasion

‘there must a deterrent effect, that people must be afraid to breach sanctions, especially when it involves common high priority goods or items that generate a lot of revenue to the Russian government to wage war in Ukraine. By proper deterrent effect, I mean real convictions with proper jail times or very hefty fines levied against those who have been intentionally involved in breaching sanctions or have been grossly negligent’ -Paulis Iļjenkovs on strengthening sanctions enforcement in the EU In the latest episode of the Sanctions Space Podcast, Justine is joined by Toms Platacis and Paulis Iljenkovs, Head and Deputy Head of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Latvia respectively. They discuss the sanctions enforcement landscape in Latvia, including the recent development of the FIU becoming the national competent authority – a ‘one-stop shop’ - for sanctions. They also discuss the exposure to Russia sanctions in the Baltics, the importance of awareness raising among industry, and the potential role AMLA could play in strengthening enforcement.