Espreso. Global

Spanish police seize 13 tons of banned chemicals bound for Russia

15 October, 2024 Tuesday
16:15

Spanish police have seized 13 tons of banned chemicals, including potential precursors for chemical weapons, that were destined for Russia

client/title.list_title

Reuters reported the information.
 

Spanish police have seized 13 tons of banned chemicals, including potential precursors for chemical weapons, that were intended for Russia despite ongoing sanctions related to its invasion of Ukraine. Authorities arrested four suspects linked to a crime ring believed to be circumventing these sanctions by illegally supplying chemical products to Russia through a shell company operated by "citizens of Russian origin.”
 

The police stated that their investigation revealed that internationally sanctioned chemicals, some of which could be used to produce chemical weapons or nerve agents, had previously been exported via this company structure. However, the specific chemicals seized in this latest operation were not disclosed. The chemicals were discovered in a container at the port of Barcelona, and the suspects were arrested in nearby villages, facing charges related to the sustained smuggling of banned goods.
 

Authorities noted that the Spanish company involved had developed a complex logistical and financial network to export these internationally sanctioned chemicals to Russia. This network included a subsidiary in Moscow and several shell companies located in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, which were used to obscure the true destination of the goods before they were redirected to Russia.
 

The European Union has imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow since 2022 and is reportedly making progress in targeting companies that sell dual-use goods to Russia through Central Asian states to evade sanctions . The United States and Britain have accused Russia of violating an international ban on the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, with the UK imposing sanctions on troops allegedly involved in their use. In response, Russia has consistently denied these accusations, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow remains committed to its obligations under the chemical weapons treaty.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Friday
14 February
09:35
Russia loses 1,200 soldiers, 81 artillery systems, 17 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Thursday
13 February
22:00
Exclusive
Heart of Ukraine: interactive Valentine’s Day installation unveiled at Kyiv’s railway station
21:45
Exclusive
'Starved and tortured': freed Azov fighter reveals horrors of Olenivka prison
21:31
Exclusive
Putin, Zelenskyy will not get everything they want, but peace will be achieved — U.S. Defense Secretary
21:20
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russian army returns to using armored vehicles near Pokrovsk – Ukrainian military
21:10
OPINION
Operation against Poroshenko: strategic move to divide society
20:57
Exclusive
Ukrainian intelligence destroys Valdai radar near Moscow: expert explains how
20:42
Exclusive
Sanctions against Poroshenko might be politically motivated before elections - MP
20:24
U.S. sanctions ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan who issued Putin arrest warrant
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine risks future war as Trump rejects NATO membership and security guarantees
19:56
Fico publishes photo with Putin, says calls Ukraine and EU are "losers"
19:40
Exclusive
Many EU politicians see Ukraine ceasefire as done deal — Espreso correspondent from Brussels
19:25
'Nothing discredits Hungarian officials more than their actions': Ukraine’s MFA on Budapest’s accusations
19:10
Exclusive
"Approaching Mariupol, we realized this was a real major invasion": former POW told about city's defense
18:55
Press release
Kostiantyn Zhevago considers sanctions imposed on him illegal - businessman's press service
18:41
Exclusive
Russian military drills ahead of February 24 were wake-up call - released Azov fighter
18:25
'Any deal made behind our backs won’t work': Kaja Kallas on negotiations with Russia
18:07
'Poland, Europe, entire West need full cooperation': Tusk urges ending disputes over Ukraine
17:51
Hungary’s Orbán slams EU statement on Ukraine peace talks as 'worthless'
17:34
Trump must be more realistic on Russia talks — Ukrainian MP on Trump-Putin call
17:16
Trump's British ally Farage backs Ukraine joining NATO despite past criticism
16:54
Russia deliberately targeted Mariupol shelters marked "Children" and "Civilians" — Azov soldier, released from captivity
16:33
Moldova recovers Russian drone wreckage, summons Russian ambassador
16:15
Two newest Russian radar systems explode near Moscow
15:54
Exclusive
No reason to say Ukraine's fate will be decided behind its back — military expert
15:35
China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
More news