“I’m not a criminal”

Customs investigators have searched the company of the Minden entrepreneur Paul Klassen. The background is an investigation on suspicion that vehicles were delivered to Russia despite the EU embargo. Klassen firmly rejects the allegations and emphasizes that all exports were carried out in accordance with the law.

Regarding the search carried out on January 22, 2026

(based on the decision of the Bielefeld District Court dated July 28, 2025)

The morning of January 22, 2026 began for me and my company not as usual.

At 8:00 a.m. the company KLASSEN - Automobile GmbH, Schwarzer Weg 4, 32423 Minden, was opened.

At around 8:10 a.m. only two people were present in the company: myself and our information secretary. Two employees were on sick leave, other colleagues had not yet arrived at the workplace at that time.

Shortly thereafter, approximately 30–35 officers appeared on the company premises, including from the Customs Criminal Investigation Office, and presented a search warrant from the Bielefeld District Court dated July 28, 2025.

Basis of the search (according to the decision)

Photo 1: Decision of the Bielefeld District Court – page 1

Photo 2: Decision of the Bielefeld District Court – page 2

The decision states that there is suspicion against me, Paul Klassen, of having violated the export ban of the European Union in accordance with EU Regulation No. 833/2014 in conjunction with § 18 para. 1 no. 1a AWG.

Specifically, it is alleged that ten vehicles of the type Mercedes-Benz V-Class / V300D: were first exported to Belarus and shortly thereafter registered in the Russian Federation.

These ten vehicles (FIN numbers) formed the sole basis for the ordered searches.

Scope and course of the searches

The searches took place simultaneously at the following locations:

• KLASSEN - Automobile GmbH, Minden
• My private residence (four floors including basement)
• Another private house used as a guest or secondary residence

On the company premises the following were searched: all office rooms, archives and cabinets, storage areas, the vehicle wash facility, meeting rooms for VIP customers, as well as presentation and exhibition areas.

Almost all premises were documented photographically, including those that have no connection whatsoever with export or contractual documents.

The search at the company lasted a total of about three hours.

From the very beginning I behaved cooperatively and voluntarily:

I voluntarily handed over my mobile phone, provided the access code, explained that I could provide information on all ten vehicles, and offered all relevant documents:
both in paper form and digitally.

The documents were handed over in digital form, with the awareness that server data would be copied.

I have nothing to hide and am convinced that I acted lawfully in accordance with German and European law.

Restriction of my rights during the search

Despite my cooperation, I was prohibited from:

• contacting a lawyer,
• informing my accountant (work start 10:00 a.m.),
• notifying my wife or daughter.

A single telephone call was permitted to me – exclusively to my son, and only for the purpose of obtaining the administrative server password.

Searches of the private premises

In parallel, the search of my private residence took place: all floors, all cabinets, all documents.

Particular attention was paid to documents in the Russian language.

The attempt to enter the second house without my presence was rejected by me.
The search there took place only after my personal arrival and opening of the premises.

The human dimension

The most difficult aspect was not the search itself, but the moment when one watches via surveillance cameras how armed officers search one’s own company.

Equally distressing was walking through the neighborhood accompanied by armed officers and having to explain to people, who know me as a religious and law-abiding citizen, what was happening.

It seemed like a scene from an American movie – and yet it was reality, in Germany, in the year 2026.

Result of the measures

Result of the searches:

No items were seized, with the exception of my mobile phone, which was later returned to me (on the following Monday).

Neither at the company nor in the private premises were any incriminating documents or prohibited items found.

My position

I expressly emphasize: I have complied with all applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, have committed no sanctions violation, and am at all times available for clarification and cooperation.

For me the question remains open why, given the possibility of a simple official request for information, such an extensive and intrusive measure was chosen, which deeply interferes with entrepreneurial and private life.

I am grateful that no further measures such as account freezes or business shutdowns occurred, as has been the case in other situations.

I hope and trust that the rule of law, proportionality and objectivity will ultimately prevail.

Should anyone have legal experience or factual information regarding comparable proceedings, I am open to an exchange.