Czech Constitutional Court dismisses appeal of Rothenberg's ex-partner against sanctions

The Constitutional Court dismissed the complaint of Ukrainian-russian businessman Dmitry Kalantyrsky, who was prosecuted by Czech police last year for violating international sanctions. 

The plaintiff questioned the legitimacy of the actions of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, which opened a criminal case against him.

According to the available information, the police suspect Kalantyrsky of keeping money of a foreign company controlled by businessman Arkady Rotenberg, who is a member of the inner circle of russian President Vladimir Putin. Sanctions were imposed on him after russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. The case involves almost 100 million kroons (almost 4 million euros). Last year, Deník N reported that Kalantyrsky, who has been living in the Czech Republic since 2014, denied the allegations of sanctions violation. “My business partners from the company sent me money when I was leaving russia,” the businessman said. He also stated that he had known Rotenberg in the past, but was no longer in contact with him.

Dmytro Kalantyrsky filed several complaints with the Constitutional Court, which were gradually rejected. He tried to challenge the confiscation of money, securities and real estate, as well as the ban by the Czech authorities to dispose of the money in the frozen account. He planned to invest the funds in bonds, as the account where the money was held did not generate income. The prosecutor's office rejected his request.

Violation of international sanctions is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine under the Czech Criminal Code. The offense is committed by a person who maliciously violates sanctions to which the Czech Republic has committed itself in the UN and the EU or which it has imposed in accordance with the Sanctions Act. 

Subsequently, the rate increases depending on the amount of damage caused. If the perpetrator has made a significant contribution to the violation of international peace and security, the fight against terrorism, or the maintenance of democracy and the rule of law, he or she may be imprisoned for up to eight years.

Source: Radio Prague International