World News for Students of English

29-11-2024 07:00

David Crisp, a British businessman, admitted on camera to selling luxury perfumes illegally in Russia, despite UK sanctions.

In an undercover video, he confessed to ignoring government orders. Selling such goods to Russia is a serious crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Despite this, the UK agency enforcing sanctions dropped the case after Crisp’s arrest in 2023, even though evidence revealed over 1.7 million pounds in concealed sales. Crisp denies intentionally breaking sanctions or hiding trades.

The BBC found out that no one has been criminally convicted for breaking UK trade sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Campaigners and MPs criticize Britain for weak enforcement. Critics argue that failing to punish weakens the effectiveness of sanctions. Crisp claims his trades were transparent and denies the allegations. Meanwhile, other Western firms reportedly continue illegal trade with Russia.

Difficult words: confess (to admit that you have done something wrong), undercover (working secretly using a false appearance to get information for the police of government), conceal (to hide), enforcement (making people obey a law or rule).

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