Defence Ministry official arrested in the Netherlands for exporting aircraft parts to Russia via third countries

The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) has arrested a defence ministry official for evading EU sanctions against Russia. He and his accomplice exported aircraft parts to Russia through third countries.

This is reported by Euractiv.

The 48-year-old man from Arnhem was arrested in late August. His 53-year-old accomplice, who provided the investigation with the necessary information to get on the trail of the Ministry of Defence official, was taken into custody the day before.

The two men are accused of exporting spare parts to Russia through third countries after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Records, digital media and ammunition were found at the home of the Defence Ministry employee.

Earlier, a businessman who sold drone parts to Russia was arrested in Germany. Between January 2020 and March 2023, he exported 26 electronic components to a company in Russia that produces military equipment.