In Re Bittrex Inc, the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware held that a cryptocurrency exchange was acting lawfully under US Iran sanctions when they froze a customer’s account because they were an Iranian resident. In June 2017 Mr Ghader, an Iranian resident, opened an account with Bittrex INC, a US cryptocurrency exchange, […] The post US court confirms lawfulness of cryptocurrency exchange’s freezing of Iran account appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The UK has expanded the criteria for designation on the UK’s targeted Russia sanctions set out in Reg 6 of the Russia (Sanctions) Regulations 2019, effective 28 May 2024.  Amendments are in The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024. The new criteria permit the designation of people or entities which who own […] The post UK expands Russia designation criteria appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The UK has expanded the criteria pursuant to which the Secretary of State may specify ships under Reg 57F of the Russia (Sanctions) Regulations 2019, effective 28 May 2024. Amendments are in The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.  A “specified ship” is prohibited from entering UK ports, barred from UK registration, […] The post UK expands criteria for specifying ships appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The US DOJ has announced that it has chosen not to prosecute MilliporeSigma despite the finding of criminal wrongdoing against its employee in exporting chemical compounds to China in breach of the ITAR and EAR (declination letter). According to the DOJ investigation, between 2016 to 2023 a MilliporeSigma salesperson conspired with others to divert fraudulently […] The post US DOJ chooses not prosecute business for export control violations following voluntary self-disclosure appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The UK has reissued General Licence INT/2024/4761108 (notice), which allows a non-DP to make use of the retail banking services of a designated credit or financial institution provided that the payments made or received are intended for their personal use, do not exceed £50,000, and the relevant institution reports the transactions to HM Treasury. The […] The post UK reissues personal remittances Russia general licence appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The General Court has rejected the de-listing application of Belavia Belarusian Airlines AAT (judgment) which was designated in December 2021 on the EU’s Belarus sanctions regime Article 2(6)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 which authorises the designation of companies facilitating the illegal crossing of the EU’s external borders. The court said the EU Council was […] The post EU court upholds sanctions on Belarus airline Belavia appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

Akhmedov The General Court of the EU has annulled the designation of Farkhad Akhmedov (judgment) who was listed under Article 3 criterion (g) of Regulation (EU) No 269/2014, as a leading businessperson providing a substantial source of revenue to the Russian govt. Mr Akhmedov was initially designated on the EU’s Russia targeted sanctions list in 2022 […] The post EU Russia judgments – court annuls Akhmedov & upholds Vinokurov listings appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

Following a 10-month investigation, French Customs have conducted a series of raids to shut down a company operating in France specialising in unlawful exports of goods to Russia. According to the Ministry of Economy press release (French), the company, which advertised its sanctions evasion services on the dark web, submitted false customs declarations to export […] The post French Customs shut down sanctions circumvention operation appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has designated 5 US entities, 7 US individuals, 5 UK entities, and 8 UK entities for supporting Israel, including US and UK military and military-related entities and US and UK military and govt officials (press release, press release). The designations consist of asset freezes and […] The post Iran designates US & UK individuals & entities for supporting Israel appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more

Ukraine has designated 68 entities and 2 individuals (Presidential Decree No 340/2024, report), including Russian media outlets and companies from Crimea. NTV Plus, The First Channel, World Network, Zvezda, TNT Network, Petersburg, Ren TV, TV and Radio Company Krym TV, Izvestia, Moskovsky Komsomolets are among the designated entities. Designated individuals and entities are subject to […] The post Ukraine designates 70 Russian targets appeared first on Global Sanctions ..read more