The Office of Foreign Assets Control reminded users of its website to fill out a survey (see 2410110053) that will give OFAC feedback on how it can streamline the site’s navigation and improve its “sanctions guidance, resource accessibility, and user experience.” The survey closes Dec. 30.

The U.K. on Nov. 7 sanctioned Denis Sergeev, a senior officer in the Russian Military Intelligence Service, for his ties to Russia's use of chemical weapons. The U.K.'s said Sergeev was involved in the attempted 2018 Novichok nerve agent poisoning in Salisbury, England, of a former Russian military officer and double agent for the British intelligence agencies.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week extended two Venezuela-related general licenses, one that renews the current authorization for certain transactions with state-owned energy company Petroleos de Venezuela and another that delays an exemption that would authorize certain transactions with PdVSA.

The possible North Korean deployment of troops to Russia, as well as Russia’s transfer of missile technology to North Korea, would violate multiple U.N. sanctions resolutions and shouldn’t be allowed, the U.S. and several allies said in a Nov. 6 joint statement. They said they have “grave concerns” about Russia’s use of North Korean troops against Ukraine and are “deeply concerned” about potential shipments of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology from Russia to North Korea.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned Prointer ITSS general director Vladimir Perisic and Elpring d.o.o. Laktasi for their ties to a “corrupt patronage network” that supports the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s sanctions evasion attempts. OFAC said President Milorad Dodik and his son use Perisic and others to control private companies that are awarded government contracts, including Elpring.

Asia-based companies should make sure they’re doing enough due diligence to take into account heightened Western focus on Russia-related sanctions evasion, Ropes and Gray said in a Nov. 5 client alert, particularly because of their “geographical proximity” to Russia. The firm pointed to guidance on sanctions evasion recently released by the Group of 7 nations (see 2409250004), adding that Asian companies “are at higher risk for diversion as Russia is ever more reliant on complex transnational structures to circumvent sanctions and procure critical technology and manufacturing components” for its weapons.

The EU will maintain sanctions on 15 individuals and four entities under the North Korea sanctions regime, the European Council announced on Oct. 31. The entities are Pan Systems Pyongyang, Korea Paekho Trading Corp., Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Centre and Korean People's Army.

South Korea sanctioned 11 people and four entities in response to North Korea's Oct. 31 launch of a long-range ballistic missile, Korea's foreign ministry announced on Nov. 1, according to an unofficial translation. The sanctioned parties are involved in missile development and earning foreign currency for North Korean workers operating abroad. The restrictions will take effect Nov. 6.

Australia on Oct. 30 issued an updated permit that authorizes Australian lawyers and law firms to provide certain legal services to, and collect fees from, parties designated under its Autonomous Sanctions Regulations. New permit SAN-2024-00138, which replaces now-revoked permit SAN-2022-00079, allows Australian people and organizations to give legal advice or legal representation to sanctioned parties in Australian courts and tribunals, including for the filing of court documents, the “engagement of expert witnesses,” and “administrative tasks necessary for legal proceedings” in Australian courts.

President Joe Biden extended for one year a national emergency that authorizes certain sanctions related to Iran, the White House said Nov. 1. The White House said "our relations with Iran have not yet normalized," and the sanctions authorities outlined in Executive Order 12170 "must continue in effect beyond November 14, 2024."