Dutch supermarket Spar accused of helping Iran evade sanctions - report
Dutch supermarket chain Spar has been accused of helping Iran evade international sanctions, according to a report by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant.
Leaked internal documents from a whistleblower suggest that Spar's license in Iran was used to facilitate transactions involving Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).
Despite Dutch Ambassador Frank Mollen promoting Spar's operations in Tehran as an example of successful business engagement in August 2022, the documents reveal that Spar Iran was allegedly involved in questionable activities, such as importing Western technology and issuing Schengen visas for individuals connected to the IRGC.
Blue River, managing Spar's Iran operations, allegedly acquired Western equipment, like HP servers and laptops, under false pretenses, claiming they were for supermarket use. Security experts noted such technology is unnecessary for a small grocery chain.
Concerns also emerged over Spar Iran's S-Pay voucher system, which allows Iranians abroad to send credits to relatives in Iran. Leaked emails suggest plans to convert these vouchers into cash, potentially violating sanctions.
