[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 100952-100954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29187]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
Order Renewing Temporary Denial of Export Privileges: Siberian
Airlines d/b/a S7 Airlines
Pursuant to Section 766.24 of the Export Administration
Regulations, 15 CFR Parts 730-774 (``EAR'' or ``the Regulations''),\1\
I hereby grant the request of the Office of Export Enforcement
(``OEE'') to renew the temporary denial order (``TDO'') issued in this
matter on December 11, 2023. I find that renewal of this order is
necessary in the public interest to prevent an imminent violation of
the Regulations and that renewal for an extended period is appropriate
because Siberian Airlines d/b/a S7 Airlines (``Siberian'') has engaged
in a pattern of repeated, ongoing and/or continuous apparent violations
of the EAR.
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\1\ On August 13, 2018, the President signed into law the John
S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019,
which includes the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, 50 U.S.C.
4801-4852 (``ECRA''). While Section 1766 of ECRA repeals the
provisions of the Export Administration Act, 50 U.S.C. App. section
2401 et seq. (``EAA''), (except for three sections which are
inapplicable here), Section 1768 of ECRA provides, in pertinent
part, that all orders, rules, regulations, and other forms of
administrative action that were made or issued under the EAA,
including as continued in effect pursuant to the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (``IEEPA''),
and were in effect as of ECRA's date of enactment (August 13, 2018),
shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified,
superseded, set aside, or revoked through action undertaken pursuant
to the authority provided under ECRA. Moreover, Section 1761(a)(5)
of ECRA authorizes the issuance of temporary denial orders. 50
U.S.C. 4820(a)(5).
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I. Procedural History
On June 24, 2022, I signed an order denying Siberian export
privileges for a period of 180 days on the ground that issuance of the
order was necessary in the public interest to prevent an imminent
violation of the Regulations. The order was issued ex parte pursuant to
Section 766.24(a) of the Regulations and was effective upon
issuance.\2\ The temporary denial order was subsequently renewed on
December 20, 2022,\3\ June 15, 2023 \4\ and December 11, 2023 \5\ in
accordance with Section 766.24(d) of the Regulations.\6\
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\2\ The TDO was published in the Federal Register on June 29,
2022 (87 FR 38709).
\3\ The December 20, 2022 renewal order was published in the
Federal Register on December 23, 2022 (87 FR. 78921).
\4\ The June 15, 2023 renewal order was published in the Federal
Register on June 21, 2023 (88 FR 40205).
\5\ The December 11, 2023 renewal order was published in the
Federal Register on December 14, 2023 (88 FR 86626).
\6\ Section 766.24(d) provides that BIS may seek renewal of a
temporary denial order for additional 180-day renewal periods if it
believes that renewal is necessary in the public interest to prevent
an imminent violation. In cases demonstrating a pattern of repeated,
ongoing and/or continuous apparent violations, BIS may request the
renewal of a temporary denial order for an additional period not
exceeding one year.
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On November 14, 2024, BIS, through OEE, submitted a written request
for a fourth renewal of the TDO. The written request was made more than
20 days before the TDO's scheduled expiration and, given the temporary
suspension of international mail service to Russia, OEE has attempted
to deliver a copy of the renewal request to Siberian by alternative
means in accordance with Sections 766.5 and 766.24(d) of the
Regulations. No opposition to the renewal of the TDO has been received.
II. Renewal of the TDO
A. Legal Standard
Pursuant to Section 766.24, BIS may issue an order temporarily
denying a respondent's export privileges upon a showing that the order
is necessary in the public interest to prevent an ``imminent
violation'' of the Regulations, or any order, license or authorization
issued thereunder. 15 CFR 766.24(b)(1) and 766.24(d). ``A violation may
be `imminent' either in time or degree of likelihood.'' 15 CFR
766.24(b)(3). BIS may show ``either that a violation is about to occur,
or that the general circumstances of the matter under investigation or
case under criminal or administrative charges demonstrate a likelihood
of future violations.'' Id. As to the likelihood of future violations,
BIS may show that the violation under investigation or charge ``is
significant, deliberate, covert and/or likely to occur again, rather
than technical or negligent[.]'' Id. A ``lack of information
establishing the precise time a violation may occur does not preclude a
finding that a violation is imminent, so long as there is sufficient
reason to believe the likelihood of a violation.'' Id.
If BIS believes that renewal of a denial order is necessary in the
public interest to prevent an imminent violation, it may file a written
request for renewal, with any modifications if appropriate. 15 CFR
766.24(d)(1). The written request, which must be filed no later than 20
days prior to the TDO's expiration, should set forth the basis for
BIS's belief that renewal is necessary, including any additional or
changed circumstances. Id. ``In cases demonstrating a pattern of
repeated, ongoing and/or continuous apparent violations, BIS may
request the renewal of a temporary denial order for an additional
period not exceeding one year.'' \7\ Id.
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\7\ 88 FR 59791 (Aug. 30, 2023).
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B. The TDO and BIS's Request for Renewal
The U.S. Commerce Department, through BIS, responded to the Russian
Federation's (``Russia's'') further invasion of Ukraine by implementing
a sweeping series of stringent export controls that severely restrict
Russia's access to technologies and other items that it needs to
sustain its aggressive military capabilities. These controls primarily
target Russia's defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors and are
intended to cut off Russia's access to vital technological inputs,
atrophy key sectors of its industrial base, and undercut Russia's
strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage. Effective
February 24, 2022, BIS imposed expansive controls on aviation-related
(e.g., Commerce Control List Categories 7 and 9) items to Russia,
including a license requirement for the export, reexport or transfer
(in-country) to Russia of any aircraft or aircraft parts specified in
Export Control Classification Number (``ECCN'') 9A991 (Section
746.8(a)(1) of the EAR).\8\ BIS
[[Page 100953]]
will review any export or reexport license applications for such items
under a policy of denial. See Section 746.8(b). Effective March 2,
2022, BIS excluded any aircraft registered in, owned, or controlled by,
or under charter or lease by Russia or a national of Russia from being
eligible for license exception Aircraft, Vessels, and Spacecraft
(``AVS'') (Sec. 740.15 of the EAR).\9\ Accordingly, any U.S.-origin
aircraft or foreign aircraft that includes more than 25% controlled
U.S.-origin content, and that is registered in, owned, or controlled
by, or under charter or lease by Russia or a national of Russia, is
subject to a license requirement before it can travel to Russia.
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\8\ 87 FR 12226 (Mar. 3, 2022). Additionally, BIS published a
final rule effective April 8, 2022 which imposed licensing
requirements on items controlled on the Commerce Control List
(``CCL'') under Categories 0-2 that are destined for Russia or
Belarus. Accordingly, now all CCL items require export, reexport,
and transfer (in-country) licenses if destined for or within Russia
or Belarus. 87 FR 22130 (Apr. 14, 2022).
\9\ 87 FR 13048 (Mar. 8, 2022).
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OEE's request for renewal for a period of one year is based upon
the facts underlying the issuance of the TDO and the renewal orders
subsequently issued in this matter on December 20, 2022, June 15, 2023,
and December 11, 2023, as well as other evidence developed during this
investigation. This evidence demonstrates that Siberian has continued,
and continues, to act in blatant disregard for U.S. export controls and
the terms of previously issued TDOs. Specifically, the initial TDO,
issued on June 24, 2022, was based on evidence that Siberian engaged in
conduct prohibited by the Regulations by operating multiple aircraft
subject to the EAR and classified under ECCN 9A991.b on flights into
Russia after March 2, 2022 from destinations including, but not limited
to, Atyrau, Kazakhstan, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and Urgench, Uzbekistan,
without the required BIS authorization.\10\ Further evidence indicated
that Siberian also operated aircraft subject to the EAR on domestic
flights within Russia, potentially in violation of Sec. 736.2(b)(10)
of the Regulations.
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\10\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows, for
example, that on March 10, 2022, serial number (``SN'') 41400 flew
from Atyrau, Kazakhstan to Moscow, Russia. On May 1, 2022, SN 41707
flew from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Novosibirsk, Russia and, on March
4, 2022, SN 41841 flew from Urgench, Uzbekistan to Moscow, Russia.
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As discussed in the prior renewal orders, BIS presented evidence
indicating that, after the initial TDO issued, Siberian continued to
operate aircraft subject to the EAR and classified under ECCN 9A991.b
on flights both into and out of Russia, in violation of the Regulations
and the TDO itself.\11\ The December 20, 2022 renewal order detailed
flights into and out of Russia from/to Bangkok, Thailand, Antalya,
Turkey, and Urgench, Uzbekistan.\12\ The June 15, 2023 order documented
a similar pattern of prohibited conduct.\13\ Similarly, the December
11, 2023 order detailed flights into and out of Russia from/to Bangkok,
Thailand, Fergana, Uzbekistan, and Istanbul, Turkey.\14\
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\11\ Engaging in conduct prohibited by a denial order violates
the Regulations. 15 CFR 764.2(a) and (k).
\12\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows, for
example, that on November 30, 2022, SN 41709 flew from Bangkok,
Thailand to Irkutsk, Russia. SN 41707 flew from Antalya, Turkey to
Novosibirsk, Russia on November 19, 2022, and from Urgench,
Uzbekistan to Moscow, Russia on December 10, 2022.
\13\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows that
SN 41707 flew from Istanbul, Turkey to Moscow, Russia on May 20,
2023. Additionally, SN 41709 flew from Beijing, China to Irkutsk,
Russia on May 27, 2023. Further, SN 41710 flew from Bangkok,
Thailand to Irkutsk, Russia on May 20, 2023.
\14\ Publicly available flight tracking information shows that
SN 41709 flew from Bangkok, Thailand to Irkutsk, Russia on December
4, 2023. In addition, SN 41710 flew from Fergana, Uzbekistan to
Irkutsk, Russia on December 1, 2023. On November 16, 2023 SN 40233
flew from Istanbul, Turkey to Moscow, Russia.
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Since that time, Siberian has continued to engage in conduct
prohibited by the applicable TDO and Regulations. In its November 14,
2024 request for renewal of the TDO, BIS submitted evidence that
Siberian continues to operate aircraft subject to the EAR and
classified under ECCN 9A991.b, both on flights into and within Russia,
in violation of the December 11, 2023 renewal order and/or the
Regulations. Specifically, BIS's evidence and related investigation
demonstrates that Siberian continues to operate aircraft subject to the
EAR, including, but not limited to, on flights into and out of Russia
from/to Bangkok, Thailand, Beijing, China, Khujand, Tajikistan, and
Antalya, Turkey. Information about those flights includes, but is not
limited to, the following:
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Departure/arrival
Tail No. Serial No. Aircraft type cities Dates
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RA-73668....................... 41709 737-8LP (B738)............. Bangkok, TH/ November 21,
Novosibirsk, RU. 2024.
RA-73668....................... 41709 737-8LP (B738)............. Bangkok, TH/ November 6, 2024.
Irkutsk, RU.
RA-73668....................... 41709 737-8LP (B738)............. Osh, KG/Irkutsk, November 5, 2024.
RU.
RA-73668....................... 41709 737-8LP (B738)............. Yakutsk, RU/ November 5, 2024.
Irkutsk, RU.
RA-73668....................... 41709 737-8LP (B738)............. Antalya, TR/ October 27, 2024.
Novosibirsk, RU.
RA-73670....................... 41710 737-8LP (B738)............. Beijing, CN/ November 21,
Irkutsk, RU. 2024.
RA-73670....................... 41710 737-8LP (B738)............. Bangkok, TH/ November 8, 2024.
Irkutsk, RU.
RA-73670....................... 41710 737-8LP (B738)............. Yakutsk, RU/ November 8, 2024.
Irkutsk, RU.
RA-73670....................... 41710 737-8LP (B738)............. Khujand, TJ/ November 6, 2024.
Novosibirsk, RU.
RA-73670....................... 41710 737-8LP (B738)............. Antalya, TR/ November 5, 2024.
Novosibirsk, RU.
RA-73667....................... 41707 737-8LP (B738)............. Istanbul, TR/ November 20,
Moscow, RU. 2024.
RA-73667....................... 41707 737-8LP (B738)............. Istanbul, TR/ November 3, 2024.
Moscow, RU.
RA-73667....................... 41707 737-8LP (B738)............. Barnaul, RU/ November 2, 2024.
Moscow, RU.
RA-73667....................... 41707 737-8LP (B738)............. Istanbul, TR/ November 1, 2024.
Moscow, RU.
RA-73667....................... 41707 737-8LP (B738)............. Antalya, TR/ October 15, 2024.
Novosibirsk, RU.
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III. Findings
Under the applicable standard set forth in Sec. 766.24 of the
Regulations and my review of the entire record, I find that the
evidence presented by BIS convincingly demonstrates that Siberian has
acted in violation of the Regulations and the TDO; that such violations
have been significant and deliberate; and that given the foregoing and
the nature of the matters under investigation, there is a likelihood of
imminent violations. Moreover, I find that renewal for an extended
period is appropriate because Siberian has engaged in a pattern of
repeated, ongoing and/or continuous apparent violations of the EAR.
Therefore, renewal of the TDO for one year is necessary in the public
interest to prevent imminent violation of the Regulations and to give
notice to
[[Page 100954]]
companies and individuals in the United States and abroad that they
should avoid dealing with Siberian, in connection with export and
reexport transactions involving items subject to the Regulations and in
connection with any other activity subject to the Regulations.
IV. Order
It is therefore ordered:
First, Siberian Airlines d/b/a S7 Airlines, 633104, Novosibirskaya
obl., g. Ob, prospekt Mozzherina, d. 10 ofis 201, when acting for or on
their behalf, any successors or assigns, agents, or employees may not,
directly or indirectly, participate in any way in any transaction
involving any commodity, software or technology (hereinafter
collectively referred to as ``item'') exported or to be exported from
the United States that is subject to the EAR, or in any other activity
subject to the EAR including, but not limited to:
A. Applying for, obtaining, or using any license (except directly
related to safety of flight), license exception, or export control
document;
B. Carrying on negotiations concerning, or ordering, buying,
receiving, using, selling, delivering, storing, disposing of,
forwarding, transporting, financing, or otherwise servicing in any way,
any transaction involving any item exported or to be exported from the
United States that is subject to the EAR except directly related to
safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2) of
the Regulations, or engaging in any other activity subject to the EAR
except directly related to safety of flight and authorized by BIS
pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2) of the Regulations; or
C. Benefitting in any way from any transaction involving any item
exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to
the EAR, or from any other activity subject to the EAR except directly
related to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec.
764.3(a)(2) of the Regulations.
Second, that no person may, directly or indirectly, do any of the
following:
A. Export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) to or on behalf of
Siberian any item subject to the EAR except directly related to safety
of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2) of the
Regulations;
B. Take any action that facilitates the acquisition or attempted
acquisition by Siberian of the ownership, possession, or control of any
item subject to the EAR that has been or will be exported from the
United States, including financing or other support activities related
to a transaction whereby Siberian acquires or attempts to acquire such
ownership, possession or control except directly related to safety of
flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Section 764.3(a)(2) of the
Regulations;
C. Take any action to acquire from or to facilitate the acquisition
or attempted acquisition from Siberian of any item subject to the EAR
that has been exported from the United States except directly related
to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2)
of the Regulations;
D. Obtain from Siberian in the United States any item subject to
the EAR with knowledge or reason to know that the item will be, or is
intended to be, exported from the United States except directly related
to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2)
of the Regulations; or
E. Engage in any transaction to service any item subject to the EAR
that has been or will be exported from the United States and which is
owned, possessed or controlled by Siberian, or service any item, of
whatever origin, that is owned, possessed or controlled by Siberian if
such service involves the use of any item subject to the EAR that has
been or will be exported from the United States except directly related
to safety of flight and authorized by BIS pursuant to Sec. 764.3(a)(2)
of the Regulations. For purposes of this paragraph, servicing means
installation, maintenance, repair, modification, or testing.
Third, that, after notice and opportunity for comment as provided
in section 766.23 of the EAR, any other person, firm, corporation, or
business organization related to Siberian by ownership, control,
position of responsibility, affiliation, or other connection in the
conduct of trade or business may also be made subject to the provisions
of this Order.
In accordance with the provisions of Sections 766.24(e) of the EAR,
Siberian may, at any time, appeal this Order by filing a full written
statement in support of the appeal with the Office of the
Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Coast Guard ALJ Docketing Center, 40
South Gay Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4022.
In accordance with the provisions of Sec. 766.24(d) of the EAR,
BIS may seek renewal of this Order by filing a written request not
later than 20 days before the expiration date. A renewal request may be
opposed by Siberian as provided in Sec. 766.24(d), by filing a written
submission with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export
Enforcement, which must be received not later than seven days before
the expiration date of the Order.
A copy of this Order shall be provided to Siberian, and shall be
published in the Federal Register.
This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for
one year.
Matthew S. Axelrod,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2024-29187 Filed 12-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DT-P