Anton Trofimov, a Russian national residing in Toronto and director of Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links Ltd., has been charged by the RCMP for allegedly violating Canada's sanctions against Russia. The charges include exporting restricted goods to Russia and exporting goods for weapons manufacturing, specifically microelectronic parts used in Orlan-10 drones. This marks the first prosecution under Canada's Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. Trofimov also faces a charge of possessing proceeds of crime. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress had previously flagged Trofimov's activities. The case highlights Canada's perceived slow enforcement of sanctions compared to the U.S. and U.K.
Russian national charged in Toronto with illegally exporting goods to Russia
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AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Anton Trofimov, a Russian national residing in Toronto and director of Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links Ltd., has been charged by the RCMP for allegedly violating Canada's sanctions against Russia. The charges include exporting restricted goods to Russia and exporting goods for weapons manufacturing, specifically microelectronic parts used in Orlan-10 drones. This marks the first prosecution under Canada's Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. Trofimov also faces a charge of possessing proceeds of crime. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress had previously flagged Trofimov's activities. The case highlights Canada's perceived slow enforcement of sanctions compared to the U.S. and U.K.
Trending- 1 2014: Federal Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations introduced.
- 2 2022 (start of full-scale invasion): Regulations amended to add more punishing sanctions.
- 3 July 17, 2022 - Dec. 8, 2022: Alleged incident period for charges against Trofimov.
- 4 January 2023: Ukrainian Canadian Congress wrote a letter to federal ministers regarding Trofimov and Asia Pacific Links Ltd.
- 5 May 5 (current year): Anton Trofimov arrested by RCMP.
- 6 Earlier this week: RCMP announced a press conference (later cancelled).
- 7 Thirty minutes after cancellation: Global News reported Trofimov's charges.
- First prosecution under Canada's Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations
- Highlights concerns about Canada's sanctions enforcement
- Sends a signal to companies about due diligence in international trade
What: A Russian national, Anton Trofimov, living in Toronto, has been charged with violating Canadian sanctions against Russia by illegally exporting microelectronic parts.
When: May 5 (Trofimov's arrest), July 17, 2022 and Dec. 8, 2022 (alleged incident period), January 2023 (UCC letter), Earlier this week (RCMP announcement of press conference), Thirty minutes later (Global News report).
Where: Toronto (Trofimov's residence, arrest location), Hong Kong (Asia Pacific Links Ltd. base), Russia (destination of goods), Ukraine (where weapons are used), United States, U.K. (countries with sanctions).
Why: Trofimov allegedly violated Canada's Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations by exporting restricted microelectronic components to Russia, which are used in weapons manufacturing for the war in Ukraine.
How: Through his role as director of Asia Pacific Links Ltd., a company sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K., which allegedly supplied microelectronic components to Russian companies. The RCMP conducted a 'complex and multijurisdictional investigation.'