2025-07-24 13:29
publication
2025-07-24 13:29
On Thursday, the European Commission initiated proceedings for violation of EU law against 18 Member States, including Poland in connection with the failure of the Directive recognizing the celebration of EU sanctions as a crime. The directive was adopted to better enforce the restrictions on Russia.
Member States had time to inform the EC about the implementation of the directive until May 20 this year.
18 countries, including Poland, did not do this, and therefore the EC launched the proceedings for them for a violation of EU law. These countries will now have two months to answer. If the EC finds it unsatisfactory, it will issue the so -called A legitimate opinion, and further a step may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.
In addition to Poland, called on Thursday by the EC to remove the deficiencies, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia were.
The directive determining crimes related to the violation of EU Sanctions of the EC proposed in December 2022 – after the community began to massively introduce restrictions to Russia in connection with her starting a full -lock war against Ukraine. It was about the introduction by all countries of the same penalties for non -compliance with EU restrictions, which was to be hindered by their celebration.
“The harmonization of national criminal law in this area will facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violations of EU sanctions in all Member States, increasing the effectiveness of EU limitations,” the EC wrote in a communiqué on Thursday.
Pursuant to the directive, some activities, such as help in celebrating a travel ban, trade in goods subject to sanctions or conducting forbidden financial activities, were considered a crime. Until now, Member States did not have to recognize the violations of sanctions for a crime and could apply administrative penalties instead of criminal sanctions.
From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)
(We plan to continue)
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