The EU on April 16 requested consultations with the U.K. under the EU-U.K. Trade and Cooperation Agreement's dispute settlement system pertaining to the U.K.'s ban on the fishing of sandeel, the European Commission announced.

A group of European countries not in the EU aligned with a recent EU sanctions move under its restrictions regime to combat human rights abuses. Earlier this month, the Council of the EU introduced a humanitarian exemption to its sanctions regime. The countries of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway also imposed the decision, the council announced.

The Ukraine High Anti-Corruption Court on April 10 upheld the Ministry of Justice's bid to impose sanctions and confiscate the assets of former Minister of Education and Science Dmytro Tabachnyk, according to an unofficial translation. The court noted that Tabachnyk is in the "temporarily occupied territories" and helps support the creation and functioning of the occupying administrations. The Ukrainian government sought to confiscate five land plots, a residential building, half a share of an apartment and monetary assets from the former minister. Ukraine's enforcement of its sanctions regime takes the form of asset freezes, the seizure of property and criminal sanctions, according to a blog post from global law firm Baker McKenzie. Ukraine passed legislation last year allowing for the "expropriation of property of" sanctioned parties.

The U.K. on April 16 amended the sanctions listing for one entity on its North Korea sanctions list, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation announced. The entry for the National Aerospace Development Administration was updated to accurately reflect the entity's name, "National Aerospace Technology Administration."

The Cyprus Bar Association (CBA) last week raided a lawyer's lobbying firm offices as part of an investigation into "suspected fictitious transactions," Cyprus newspaper Phileleftheros reported. The investigation centered on Finsol, a firm that provides services to Santinomo, which reportedly holds shares in Intellexa AE -- an entity that's part of U.S.-sanctioned spyware firm Intellexa. The suspicious transactions began "shortly after US sanctions were imposed on entities of the Intellexa group," the newspaper's report said. A Greek lawyer registered with CBA owns Finsol. The CBA's compliance and oversight department is conducting the investigation and, upon its conclusion, will send a report to the association's administrative council. The council will decide whether "disciplinary measures will be taken or, more importantly, whether the case will be referred to the police for criminal investigation," Phileleftheros reported.

The Council of the EU on April 12 passed a law establishing minimum rules for the prosecution of "violation or circumvention of EU sanctions in member states," the council announced. Various actions, including working to skirt a travel ban and trading in sanctioned goods, will be considered criminal offenses in all member states.

The U.K. added three entities to its Sudan sanctions list on April 15, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation announced. The entities are gold exporter Al-Fakher Advanced Works Co., Alkhaleej Bank Co. and Red Rock Mining Co., all of which are accused of funding the Rapid Support Forces, one of the main parties in the Sudan conflict.

The U.K. last week published new guidance on how companies can identify and report "harmful" trade practices affecting U.K. industries. The document covers issues involving foreign subsidies, forced technology transfers, unfair benefits received by state-owned firms, dumped foreign imports and more.

Switzerland on April 10 adopted the EU's sanctions listing of six individuals who support Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Federal Council announced. Switzerland also adopted the EU's Guatemala listing of five individuals and its Sudan designations of six entities. The council said the new measures "contain exceptions for humanitarian activities." They entered into force on April 10.

The Council of the EU on March 12 extended the sanctions regime for those that threaten the sovereignty of Ukraine for another six months, until Sept. 15. The sanctions apply to over 2,100 individuals and entities.