Russian National Arrested for Illegally Exporting Watercraft and Engine to Russia

Russian National Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Watercraft and Engine to Russia

A Russian national has been arrested in Osaka on suspicion of illegally exporting watercraft and a ship engine to Russia. This marks the first arrest for unauthorized exports to Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Andrey Sova, 38, president of the Osaka-based trading company Astrade Co., was arrested for violating the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law. He is suspected of exporting 27 items worth approximately ¥43 million, including four watercraft, a marine engine, a trailer truck, and a used motorcycle, from Osaka Nanko Port to Russia via South Korea in January 2023 without obtaining the necessary government permission.

Sova has not yet responded to the allegations, stating that he will speak after consulting with his lawyer. Police, acting on a tip-off, searched the company and other locations in November 2023 and found documents indicating that Sova had sent the items to a company in Vladivostok, Russia. He allegedly concealed the true destination of the exports in his applications to the customs office.

Following the United States and Europe, Japan has been enforcing export bans to Russia since March 2022. These bans include ships, high-performance semiconductors, and machine tools that could be used for military purposes.

Police are currently investigating the possibility that the exported items may have already been converted for military use.