The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) has penalized four Dutch companies and eight individuals for breaching economic sanctions by contributing to the construction of the contentious

bridge connecting Russia and Crimea. Three other company cases are still under investigation, as reported by De Gelderlander.

The OM stated that these companies provided pile hammers, bridge parts, and technical support for the bridge's construction. It also acknowledged that Dutch knowledge and expertise played a role in the Crimean Bridge's construction.

The fines imposed by the OM range from 5,000 to 100,000 euros for the companies, and community service penalties for individuals ranging from 20 to 60 hours. These penalties were reached through settlement agreements with the parties involved, bypassing court proceedings.

The bridge was constructed by Russia after annexing Crimea in 2014, despite the European Union's economic sanctions prohibiting its construction.

The OM initiated this investigation following a 2017 report by De Gelderlander revealing the involvement of two Dutch companies in constructing the Crimean Bridge. The OM asserts that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that seven companies violated economic sanctions in effect at that time.

Individuals implicated are accused of intentionally selling components and providing technical support for the bridge's construction. They and the associated businesses were aware or should have been aware that their actions contravened economic sanctions.

The OM anticipates that the remaining cases involving three companies and an undisclosed number of individuals will be resolved before the year's end. Some of these cases may proceed to trial. Photo by Alexxx1979, Wikimedia commons.