Australia's Sanctions Office this month issued new and updated "guidance notes" about various sanctions laws, including information about compliance obligations for Australian people and entities. The new documents cover sanctions involving advanced technologies, the financial sector, employment, the ocean shipping industry, Russia-related restrictions, and more.
The U.K.'s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation last week removed Hajjaj Bin Fahd Al Ajmi from its ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaida sanctions list. He was sanctioned for his ties to Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant, a group linked to terrorism. The U.N. Security Council also delisted Ajmi (see 2506100014).
The U.K. on June 13 removed one entry from its Russia sanctions regime. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation delisted Aleksey Leonidovich Fisun, a member of the Supervisory Board Sovcombank, from the Russia restrictions.
The Council of the European Union last week sanctioned three people and one entity for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala. The designations target the Foundation Against Terrorism, its president, Ricardo Rafael Mendez Ruiz Valdes, and its legal representative, Raul Amilcar Falla Ovalle, for their involvement in the persecution and intimidation of the media, lawyers, judges and prosecutors. The council said the newly sanctioned have begun criminal investigations against "justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government, and engaged in the intimidation of civil society and the judiciary."
The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week sanctioned Iraq national Nasr Mohsen Ali Huthele and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, an Iraqi paramilitary organization, for counterterrorism reasons. The agency didn't release more information by our press time.
The State Department last week criticized a decision by several close U.S. allies to sanction Israeli cabinet members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank (see 2506100013). The sanctions, imposed by Australia, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and Norway, don't "advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war" between Israel and Hamas, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The U.N. Security Council this week removed Hajjaj Bin Fahd Al Ajmi from its ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaida sanctions list. Ajmi was sanctioned for his ties to terrorism. The council didn't release more information.
Australia, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and Norway this week sanctioned Israeli nationals Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, the countries said in a joint statement. The two individuals are involved in "advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements" in the territory, the nations said.
The EU this week proposed another round of sanctions against Russia, including lowering the global price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel. The bloc also wants to sanction more vessels transporting Russian oil, designate Chinese companies sending dual-use goods to Russia, and introduce more financial restrictions.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned various people and sham charities located abroad for being "prominent financial supporters" of the military and terrorist activities of Hamas. The people and charities help to fund the Hamas military wing "under the pretense of conducting humanitarian work," including aid work in Gaza, OFAC said.