From Rules to Reality: Criminal Liability for Sanctions Violations in Latvia

Sanctions compliance in Latvia has evolved into a significant criminal law risk for both businesses and individuals. Since 2022, enforcement of EU sanctions has intensified considerably, with a growing number of investigations, court cases, and increasingly severe penalties.

This publication provides an overview of recent developments in Latvia, including:

• key trends in enforcement activity
• analysis of court judgments
• common types of sanctions violations
• and the factors influencing penalties

The findings show clear patterns: violations often involve misclassification of goods, provision of prohibited services, or complex financial arrangements designed to circumvent restrictions. At the same time, recent legislative changes have strengthened the legal framework, allowing for substantial fines, confiscation of assets, and even imprisonment in serious cases.

Latvia has emerged as one of the more active EU jurisdictions in sanctions enforcement, and the number of pending cases suggests that enforcement will continue to intensify in the coming years.

Overall, the analysis highlights that sanctions compliance is no longer a formal requirement, but a critical operational and legal priority for companies operating in or connected to the EU.

The publication has been prepared by BDO LAW experts Jānis Ciguzis and Loreta Čabovska.

More information is available here.