Insights Stream (13-19 May)
Sanction Trace's global risk intelligence digest.
A glace into the world of sanctions, emerging risk realities, AML best practices and legislation.
Here you will read important sanction news between dates May 13th & 19th.
China sanctions political experts in Taiwan for pressure on Lai
China has announced that it will sanction five Taiwanese political commentators and introduce a law to punish ‘separatists’, in moves aimed at putting pressure on new president Lai Ching-te just days before he takes office. Chen Binhua, spokesman for the government department in Beijing that handles Taiwan affairs, said in a press release that the pundits’ remarks “deceived some people on the island, fuelled hostility and conflict between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides”.
US may impose sanctions on Georgian politicians
Georgia’s ruling party lawmakers and law enforcement officials, as well as possible Russian agents in the country, could be targeted for sanctions, according to a draft bill prepared in the US and analysed by Politico. Officials responsible for advancing Georgia’s Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ law could face asset freezes and travel bans under a new bill to be submitted to the US Congress.
领英推荐
US may respond to India-Iran port deal with sanctions
India is developing the strategically important port of Chabahar, close to Iran’s border with Pakistan, and these efforts could be answered by US sanctions. Hours after India signed a 10-year contract with Tehran to operate a port, the United States warned all countries considering business deals with Iran of potential sanctions. The move, a follow-up to a 2016 contract, was described by India’s maritime minister as a “historic moment”. The US response to this signature could be more sanctions, as it has done more than 600 times in three years against Iran-linked organisations.
Australia sanctions Iranian individuals and organisations
The Australian government took an anti-Iranian step and imposed sanctions against five Iranian individuals and three organisations, accusing Iran of destabilising activities in the West Asian region. Australia announced that Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force Brigadier General Esmail Qaani were among the senior officials sanctioned. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that the sanctioned persons include senior Iranian officials, businessmen and companies that have contributed to the development of Iran’s missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle programmes.
UK and partners target new sanctions on Russia-North Korea oil-weapons trade
The UK, together with international partners, has announced a new sanctions package targeting the Russia-North Korea ‘arms for oil’ trade. 3 companies and 1 individual will be subject to a range of measures, including asset freezes, travel bans and transport sanctions. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “Mr Putin is pulling out all the stops to continue his illegal war in Ukraine, even resorting to illegal ‘arms-for-oil’ trade deals with North Korea, flagrantly violating UN sanctions that Russia itself voted for, and vetoing UN Monitoring panels that report on his activities. We cannot and will not remain silent as North Korea and Russia engage in arms transfers. The UK will continue to hold North Korea and Russia to account. We will work with our partners to uphold the global non-proliferation regime and international peace and security.”