The call to involve the European Prosecutor more actively in matters related to sanctions violations is legitimate and justified, since the sanctions regime is part of EU-level legislation and its enforcement cannot remain without proper legal consequences.
This was stated in a comment to Guildhall by Lithuanian Member of the European Parliament Petras Auštrevičius.
According to the Lithuanian MEP, “the political call for the European Prosecutor to be more involved, I believe, is legitimate and reasonable,” since “sanctions are EU-level legislation.” He stressed: “this cannot be avoided: if a decision has been made, it must be implemented in one way or another.”
That is why, in his words, now is “a good moment” to “involve the European Prosecutor more actively in questions of sanctions enforcement.” The MEP also noted that he considers such an approach worthy of further consideration.
The Lithuanian MEP broadly agreed with the assessment that the absence of criminal convictions in already known cases of sanctions circumvention creates an atmosphere of impunity. In the logic of his response, this means that those involved in such schemes continue to act without real deterrence, and the situation effectively gives “carte blanche… to all those unprosecuted but accused criminals.”
Earlier, German MEP Michael Gahler stated that the EU should not create a new body to investigate sanctions circumvention, but rather expand the powers of the Union’s existing prosecutor and reinforce that office with additional staff. According to him, such an approach could become a simpler and more practical way to strengthen criminal prosecution for violations of the sanctions regime.
Только главные новости в нашем Telegram, Facebook и GoogleNews!
Tweet