The Czech Republic made exemptions from sanctions for 33 local companies

The Czech Republic has made exemptions from anti-Russian sanctions for 33 local companies, most of which operate in the energy and pharmaceutical sectors. About it informs publication Seznam Zprvy with reference to the Czech Financial and Analytical Office (FAU).

The department explained that the exceptions were made in accordance with EU law. Most of the cases were in the nuclear power industry (37%) and pharmaceuticals (45%). The names of the companies and other details are not specified.

According to the publication, the largest energy company in the Czech Republic CEZ has repeatedly applied for an exemption from sanctions, which owns the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants. A CEZ spokesperson confirmed that the company had filed “no more than ten” such requests.

Seznam Zprvy notes that the exceptions were made so that the company could continue to cooperate with Russian engineering companies. CEZ acknowledged that the requests concerned nuclear-related firms MSA and Skoda JS. The first was previously part of the Pipe Metallurgical Company (TMK), which was owned by businessman Dmitry Pumpyansky, who fell under the sanctions. The second named company was previously part of the structure of the Russian machine-building group “United Machine-Building Plants” (OMZ).

The FAU did not give a specific answer to the publication’s question about exemptions for pharmaceutical companies. As Seznam Zprvy writes, it follows from the response of the director of the department, Jiří Hilmar, that we are talking about the export from the Czech Republic to Russia of certain components for the production of medicines. According to EU law, countries can allow the supply of sub-sanctioned components “for medical and pharmaceutical purposes.”

Since the beginning of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the EU has already adopted 11 packages of sanctions against the Russian Federation, last of which – June 23. Restrictions have affected many sectors of the economy, including energy, high-tech sector, aviation, banking, mining, automotive, pharmaceuticals, etc.