It's well known Elsevier are involved with weapons embargoes. I'm wondering whether they've been siphoning sensitive information like building biowarfare agents to hostile factions. They're the only ones pursuing exemption from trade sanctions. I don't believe for one sec they're doing this in the name of protecting academic discourse.
http://www.slideshare.net/ElsevierConnect/elsevier-lettertoofacdec2014From this letter they sound guilty of treason.
This would make sense why the Dutch govt is boycotting Elsevier.