DIICOT searches in Bucharest and three counties, in a case concerning the transfer of an industrial lathe to Belarus

Police officers and DIICOT prosecutors carried out 12 searches on Wednesday in Bucharest and in the counties of Dâmbovița, Bacău, and Ilfov, as part of a case concerning the violation and evasion of international sanctions imposed by the European Union. Eight people are being criminally investigated, and questioning is taking place at the headquarters of DIICOT – Central Structure.

Investigators are examining the manufacture, sale, and transfer of dual-use industrial machinery, which can be used both for civilian purposes and to produce military equipment. At the center of the case is a VL40-type vertical lathe, valued at approximately 1.75 million euros.

According to the Police and DIICOT, the machinery was allegedly transferred through intermediaries from third countries, although the final beneficiary was allegedly an entity in Belarus subject to European Union sanctions. By integrating hardware and software components and modifying the technical parameters, the machinery allegedly acquired characteristics that allowed it to be used for military purposes.

The investigation concerns the period from December 2025 to September 2026. Investigators suspect that commercial circuits were used to conceal the final beneficiary and evade export controls.