Diamonds worth around €1.4 million were seized during three raids on Wednesday at an Antwerp diamond company run by Russians, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office said.
The raids were part of an investigation by the OPP company into the company, which is alleged to have circumvented European sanctions against Russia.
According to the OPP, the company in question is a wholesaler specialising in rough diamonds. To circumvent European sanctions, the company is said to have transferred most of its diamond stock outside the European Union.
“During searches in the diamond district, the financial section of the Antwerp Federal Judicial Police was nevertheless able to seize diamonds worth a total of $1.5 million dollars,” said the OPP.
The charges are currently being qualified as money laundering and violation of European regulations. The Business Court is also closely monitoring developments in the investigation and has appointed a restructuring expert, said the public prosecutor.
