ABW detains German citizen over dual-use goods trade with Russia

"The German citizen traded in specialist machines used in the technological industry, which - through his company - were illegally sent to Russian military plants involved in the production of weapons," the Internal Security Agency said in a statement.

"The suspect pleaded guilty and filed a motion for voluntary submission to punishment."

The case is being handled by the District Prosecutor's Office in Gorzów Wielkopolski, as confirmed to TVN24 by Prosecutor Mariola Wojciechowska-Grześkowiak.

According to the prosecution, the suspect "allegedly acted as an intermediary in the sale and export outside the territory of the European Union of dual-use machines, which can be utilized for both civilian and military purposes, in order to gain financial profit."

"These products included a total of five specialized milling machines. The items were sold to a company based in the Russian Federation. The case pertains to the period from September 5, 2017, to April 27, 2018," Wojciechowska-Grześkowiak told TVN24.

A German foreign office source said the embassy in Warsaw was in touch with Polish authorities and working urgently to get details.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has already applied 14 packages of sanctions against Moscow to diminish the Kremlin's ability to finance the war. The measures span across sectors and include some 2,200 individuals and entities.

The sanctions include a ban on selling to Russia certain dual-use goods and technologies that have both civilian and military applications.

The Internal Security Agency statement did not specify the article of the criminal code under which the suspect was charged and it was not immediately clear what penalty he faces.