– It is unfair. Everyone is against the war, including the people of Russia. But the sanctions do not have to punish ordinary people, says Tatiana Ottemo. Every month, Ottemo has sent money to Siberia in Russia from which his son, wife and grandson can live. She is a Norwegian citizen and has lived in Norway for over 20 years. The son is a student, his wife has just become unemployed and the 13-year-old grandson needs food on the table. The family is completely dependent on the grandmother in Norway. – They have very poor finances and that’s why I send money, says Ottemo. Sanctions are affected But now the money transfers are over. When she recently had to send money again, she was told by the bank that she was not allowed to transfer money to Russia. As of now, there are 1158 persons and 98 companies on the list of Russian persons and companies to which it is forbidden to transfer money. Ottemo’s family is not on this list, but is indirectly affected by sanctions against individuals and companies linked to the Russian state apparatus. In addition, a number of Russian banks are excluded from international SWIFT cooperation, which makes it impossible to transfer money between banks in different countries. SUNNFJORD: Tatiana Ottemo is worried about how her family in Russia will manage without the money she sends Photo: Oddgeir Sæle / news Closed for transactions – Due to the sanctions against Russia, Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane has so far closed the possibility to carry out transactions to and from Russia and Belarus, says Øystein Sellevold at Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane. He will not comment on individual cases, but says they are assessing the situation on an ongoing basis. – Is there room to make exceptions? – We assess the situation continuously if there is a basis for changes. He adds that the bank has as of today made a risk assessment where it has been decided not to carry out transactions to Russia. Sparebanken Vest says that they receive inquiries about the transfer of money to Russia, but that the number is low as a result of the sanctions. – We experience that the sanctions have a great effect, says Johannes Namstad Dobson in Sparebanken Vest. An important signal The Norwegian Helsinki Committee works to ensure that human rights are respected. Secretary General Berit Lindeman says they support the sanctions imposed on the country. But she emphasizes that it is important to emphasize that the sanctions must not affect ordinary Russians. But at the same time she admits that it is not always as easy. – Some of the sanctions are probably true because they are personal. Such as the freezing of personal bank accounts, confiscation of property and visa denial, others are more general and hits more general. The big dilemma when introducing sanctions there is that it has never been completely accurate. NEVER COMPLETELY ACCURATE: Secretary General Berit Lindemann supports the sanctions, but sees that they can not always be as accurate. Photo: news – Our most important means of pressure It is not the case that all transfers of money are affected by the sanctions, is the message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, some banks may have stricter rules than the sanctions provide for. The measures are targeted and are meant to affect individuals and companies that have connections to the Russian state apparatus – not Russians in general, says press spokesperson Ingeborg Gloppen Johnsen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. – The sanctions are our most important means of pressure against the Russian regime and to weaken Putin’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine. See the entire answer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the fact box at the bottom of the case. HOPE: Tatiana Ottemo hopes she will be able to transfer money so that her family can manage. Photo: Oddgeir Sæle / news This is the answer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The sanctions are our most important means of pressure against the Russian regime and for weakening Putin’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine. The government has had a clear line throughout the crisis that we stand with our neighboring countries and the EU to ensure that the sanctions are strong and effective. It is not the case that all transfers of money to Russia are affected by the sanctions. The measures are targeted and are intended to affect individuals and companies that have connections to the Russian state apparatus – not Russians in general. It is forbidden to transfer money to listed persons and companies. As of now, 1158 individuals and 98 companies, including several Russian banks, are listed. Exceptions may be granted for transfers to the listed, among other things to cover basic needs. A number of Russian banks are also banned from SWIFT cooperation. It will not be possible to make transfers through these banks. We also know that it is a challenge in practice that Norwegian banks are dependent on correspondent banks in other countries that can comply with even stricter regulations than the Norwegian one and that completely legitimate transfers can stop for that reason. There may also be banks that, in line with internal guidelines, adopt a stricter practice than that which follows from the sanctions. We recommend customers to contact their banks to investigate whether legal transfers can be made in practice, e.g. whether it is possible to find another bank in Russia to which the money can be transferred.
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Tatiana is not allowed to send money to her granddaughter – news Vestland
