Exports Of Illegal Ship Engines And Jet Skis To Russia, Astrade Officials In Osaka Japan Arrested By Police

Illustration - (Unsplash/mengniu)

JAKARTA - The Japanese police have arrested a Russian citizen on suspicion of illegal exports to Russia. The perpetrator named Anrey Sova is the director of Astrade's representative, Osaka-based trading company. Astrade is suspected of exporting goods worth around 40 million yen, or about 250,000 dollars, to Russia in January last year and violating foreign exchange and foreign trade laws. These items, reported by NHK, Thursday, July 11, including a ship engine and four ski jets, are said to have been exported without government approval. Exports of ship engines and ski jets and other items to Russia have been banned as part of Japan's economic sanctions since Russia began an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The company is suspected of exporting goods from a port in Osaka, sending them via South Korea, and then to Russia. The items were confirmed to have arrived at the port in Vladivostok in February last year. Japan's Ministry of Commerce said ship engines and ski jets could be changed for military purposes.

"The police are investigating the details," NHK reported The suspect is said to have refused to comment on the allegations. He said he would speak with investigators after consulting with a lawyer.