Former Putin governor on trial for UK sanctions violations

Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, a former governor appointed by President Vladimir Putin in Crimea, is on trial in the UK for violating financial sanctions. He is accused of receiving over £75,000 from his wife and a Mercedes Benz SUV from his brother. The trial is taking place at Southwark Crown Court. Ovsiannikov served as governor of Sevastopol after Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. The European Union imposed sanctions on him for his political role. When the UK exited the EU, it adopted similar sanctions against him. These regulations make it illegal to circumvent the sanctions. This trial is notable as the first criminal case under the UK's Russia sanctions. In February 2023, Ovsiannikov obtained a British passport, which he was eligible for due to his father's British citizenship. After moving to Britain, he applied for a bank account, identifying himself as single while living with his wife, Ekaterina, and children. The prosecution claims Ovsiannikov's wife transferred £76,000 to him, which he intended to use as a car deposit. However, when the bank discovered his sanctions status, they froze the account. Instead, his brother purchased the car, paying over £54,000. The prosecution argues that both Ovsiannikov and his family knew about the sanctions, as they were actively trying to have them lifted. All defendants deny the charges and claim they were unaware of the sanctions' implications. The trial continues.