The European Union has greenlit an amendment that elevates sanctions violations from mere administrative offenses to criminal offenses punishable under criminal law, Ednews reports via RBC.
The amendment's enforcement extends to both EU citizens and Russian nationals who fall under sanctions.
Under this new legislation, actions such as aiding the unauthorized entry of sanctioned individuals into the EU, engaging in trade involving sanctioned goods and services, or facilitating illicit money transfers benefiting sanctioned entities will be classified as criminal activities across all EU member states.
Member states have been allotted a 12-month window to adjust their domestic protocols in accordance with the amended law.
Previously, sanctions violations were treated as criminal offenses in 12 EU countries and as administrative infractions in the remaining 13 nations.