A Russian businessman was arrested in Estonia for circumventing sanctions.

The businessman was brought to Tallinn at the end of January after being arrested in Italy based on a warrant requested by Estonia. He is currently being held in custody. A criminal case has been initiated against him.

According to Kauri Sinkevicius, spokesperson for the Estonian prosecutor's office, two Estonian companies and their board members are also involved in this case. Their names have not been disclosed, but it is claimed that Anchevsky was also part of the board of one of the Estonian firms.

According to preliminary investigations, the company "Melitek," located in Russia, ordered high-frequency testing equipment from a Swiss manufacturer, which is used for testing the strength of metals and other materials.

"It is suspected that the orders were officially placed through an Estonian commercial enterprise, and by using the services of another Estonian company, the transportation of goods was arranged through Estonia and third countries with the aim of subsequently delivering the goods to Russia," Sinkevicius stated.

"Melitek" is the largest supplier of equipment for the Russian industry and scientific research institutes. Estonia suspects that Anchevsky was transporting sanctioned dual-use goods through the company.

• The alleged fraud was conducted through the former subsidiary Melytec Europe OÜ, established in Tallinn in 2015. It was involved in supplying industrial and specialized machinery and equipment of Western European origin. Until 2022, Melytec Europe was a subsidiary of Moscow's "Melitek," and after the war began, Anchevsky personally transferred it to himself.