A group of European countries not in the EU aligned with a series of EU sanctions decisions, under the regimes for the situation in Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and Russia.
The U.K.'s Office of Financial Sanctions on Aug. 23 updated two general licenses related to insolvency payments and activities for GTLK companies and the continuation of business and basic needs for telecommunications services and news media services. OFSI clarified that the GTLK license covers STLC Europe Nine Leasing Limited. Under the telecommunications license, OFSI clarified that PJSC MegaFon is a civilian telecommunication and news media services designated party.
The U.K.'s Revenue & Customs fined a British company more than $1.26 million related to the "unlicensed trade of goods" in violation of sanctions on Russia, the customs agency announced. "Non-compliance with sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution," the agency said. The news release did not provide the name of the firm or the goods being sold but touted the U.K.'s new Economic Deterrence Initiative that addresses sanctions evasion "across the UK's trade, transport and financial sanctions."
A bill was introduced in the House that could lead to new export controls on genetic mapping technology and sanction entities in China and elsewhere involved in certain genetic mapping efforts. The bill would specifically direct the Commerce Department to deny licenses for those exporting these items to certain countries unless the exporter can submit documentation to the government "to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that, if the license is approved, the technology will not be used for human rights abuses or by an entity that has engaged in human rights abuses."
Canada this week sanctioned four people and 29 entities for having “direct ties” to either Russia’s military-industrial complex, its financial industry or its nuclear sectors. Among those designated was a Russian military official associated with the “downing” of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight over Russian-controlled territory in 2014. Canada also sanctioned companies making dual-use aviation, marine and special nuclear equipment -- including Promtekhnologiya LLC, which produces weapons for Russian private military company Wagner Group -- and other financial entities linked to the Russian government.
The State Department this week sanctioned 11 people and two entities for their involvement in forcibly transferring and deporting Ukrainian children from Russia-occupied territories to Russia.
DOJ this week indicted two co-founders of virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash, which it said facilitated more than $1 billion in money laundering transactions for the Lazarus Group, the sanctioned North Korean cybercrime organization. The agency said Roman Storm of Auburn, Washington, and Russian national Roman Semenov knowingly conspired to violate U.S. sanctions.
The U.K. High Court of Justice's Administrative Court on Aug. 18 rejected a sanctions designation appeal by Eugene Shvidler, an associate of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and a director of mining giant Evraz. The court ruled the designation was "proportionate" and not "discriminatory."
The U.K.’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation on Aug. 17 amended the entry for Igor Viktorovich Makarov on its Russia sanctions list. The change updated identifying information for Makarov, who supports the Russian government through his work in the country’s energy sector.
Canada announced another set of Russia sanctions last week, designating 15 people and three judicial courts for human rights violations. The designations target senior officials of the Russian government, the judiciary committee, an investigative committee and federally funded courts, including the “notorious” Basmanny District Court. The court has been “directly involved” in human rights abuses against Russian political figures who oppose the government, including Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny, Canada said.