Monthly Archives: April 2024

The U.S. and Canada hit the Lukashenka regime

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The U.S. and Canada have announced sanctions on the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka regime.

At first, the U.S. has sanctioned 12 entities and 10 individuals that support the Lukashenka regime after Belarus’s fraudulent August 2020 election.

“We will continue to leverage our broad suite of tools to target Belarus’s extensive illicit facilitation networks,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson.

At the same time, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions on twenty-one individuals who are involved in or complicit with ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus.

The following entities and individuals have been added to the U.S. sanction list:

  • Aksianchuk, Aliaksandra (Cyrillic: ОКСЕНЧУК, АЛЕКСАНДРА ИГОРЕВНА), Odintsova L.E. Street, 113 Apartments 3, 4, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 16 Oct 1992; nationality Belarus; Gender Female; Passport MP4034627 (Belarus); National ID No. 4161092C013PB1 (Belarus).
  • Ali, Alhaitham Al, Slovakia; DOB 17 Mar 1972; nationality Slovakia; Gender Male; Passport BA4490378 (Slovakia) expires 13 Jan 2027.
  • Braim, Dmitry (Cyrillic: БРАИМ, ДМИТРИЙ ВЛАДИМИРОВИЧ), P.A. Miroshnichenko Street, 27, ap. 106, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 18 Apr 1976; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3180476A073PB3 (Belarus).
  • Charheika, Siarhei (Cyrillic: ЧЕРГЕЙКО, СЕРГЕЙ ВИКТОРОВИЧ), Academic Vyotsky St 3 apt. 114, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 27 Aug 1986; POB Mochulino Village, Belarus; nationality Belarus; citizen Belarus; Gender Male; Passport KH2638135 (Belarus); National ID No. 3270886K030PB1 (Belarus).
  • Deity, Mohamad Majd, Syria; DOB 06 Jun 1961; nationality Syria; Gender Male; Passport 010213193 (Syria) expires 22 Jul 2017; alt. Passport 011786268 (Syria) expires 24 Oct 2019.
  • Mikhaltsou, Dzmitry (Cyrillic: МИХАЛЬЦОВ, ДМИТРИЙ ВИКТОРОВИЧ), Ostroshitskaya Street 6, Apartment 104, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 27 Nov 1979; POB Tursk Village, Belarus; nationality Belarus; citizen Belarus; Gender Male; Passport MP3861223 (Belarus); National ID No. 3271179H010PB4 (Belarus).
  • Protopovich, Tatyana, Praspiekt Dziarzynsakaha, 82, Flat 227, Minsk 22089, Belarus; DOB 24 Mar 1996; nationality Belarus; Gender Female; Passport MP4133985 (Belarus); National ID No. 4240396A013PB6 (Belarus).
  • Rayya, Samer, Maroun al Nakkash, Beirut, Lebanon; DOB 15 Aug 1979; nationality Lebanon; Gender Male; Passport PR0157356 (Lebanon) expires 24 Aug 2022.
  • Yagmur, Nora, Turkey; DOB 01 Jan 1977; POB Upsala Isvech, Sweden; nationality Sweden; Gender Female; Passport 94954203 (Sweden) expires 29 Jun 2023; National ID No. 22121484408 (Turkey).
  • Yurchik, Oleg (Cyrillic: ЮРЧИК, ОЛЕГ НИКОЛАЕВИЧ), 4 ap. 99 Repina Street, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 16 Aug 1979; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3160879B005PB4 (Belarus).
  • Black Shield Company For General Traiding LLC, Villa S6/35, New Azadi Atconz, Ainkawa, Erbil, Iraq; Business Registration Number 21756 (Iraq).
  • CENTURONIC LTD, ABC Business Centre, Flat No: Flat 15, Floor No: Floor 1st, Charalampou Moyskou 20, Paphos 8010, Cyprus; Organization Established Date 23 Mar 2018; Business Registration Number 382931 (Cyprus).
  • JSC Communication Equipment (Cyrillic: ОАО ТЕХНИКА СВЯЗИ), 1 Naberezhnaya str., Baran, Vitebsk Region 211011, Belarus; Tax ID No. 300209010 (Belarus).
  • JSC AGAT-SYSTEM (Cyrillic: ОАО АГАТ-СИСТЕМ), 51 Skoriny str, Minsk 220141, Belarus; Tax ID No. 100230470 (Belarus).
  • JSC NIIEVM (Cyrillic: ОАО НАУЧНО-ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЙ ИНСТИТУТ ЭЛЕКТРОННЫХ ВЫЧИСЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ МАШИН), 155 Bogdanovicha St., Minsk 220040, Belarus; Tax ID No. 100219724 (Belarus).
  • LLC INNOTECH SOLUTIONS (Cyrillic: ООО ИННОТЕХ СОЛЮШНС), 104-105, Pobediteley avenue, Minsk 220062, Belarus; 21B-4, 9, Kulman Street, Minsk 220100, Belarus; Organization Established Date Oct 2018; Tax ID No. 193156727 (Belarus).
  • OJSC AGAT-CONTROL SYSTEM-MANAGING COMPANY OF GEOINFORMATION CONTROL SYSTEMS HOLDING (Cyrillic: ОАО АГАТ-СИСТЕМЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ-УПРАВЛЯЮЩАЯ КОМПАНИЯ ХОЛДИНГА ГЕОИНФОРМАЦИОННЫЕ СИСТЕМЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ), 117 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk 220114, Belarus; Tax ID No. 100230547 (Belarus).
  • OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY STANKOGOMEL (Cyrillic: ОАО СТАНКОГОМЕЛЬ), D. 10, Nezhiloe pomeshchenie, ul. Internatsionalnaya, Gomel 246640, Belarus; Organization Established Date 07 Dec 1995; Tax ID No. 400085002 (Belarus).
  • PHOENIX LINES S.R.O., Dunajska 7614/8, Bratislava 81108, Slovakia; Organization Established Date 13 Oct 2016; Business Registration Number 50546813 (Slovakia).
  • RAYYA DANISMANLIK HIZMETLERI LIMITED SIRKETI, B-48, No. 3 Maltepe Mahallesi, Istanbul 34010, Turkey; Organization Established Date 14 Dec 2018; Business Registration Number 9418 (Turkey).
  • S. GROUP AIRLINES LTD, ABC Business Centre, Flat No: Flat 105, Floor No: Floor 1st, Charalampou Moyskou 20, Paphos 8010, Cyprus; Organization Established Date 23 Apr 2018; Business Registration Number 382880 (Cyprus).
  • SHENZHEN 5G HIGH-TECH INNOVATION CO., LIMITED (Chinese Simplified: 深圳五力高科创新科技有限公司), 502, Block B, Rongchaolong Building, Longfu Road, Shangjing Community, Longcheng Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China; 306 No. 66 Huayuan Road, Pingxi Community, Pingdi Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Organization Established Date 13 Dec 2022; Unified Social Credit Code (USCC) 91440300MA5HLP0L6L (China).

The following individuals have been added to the Canadian sanction list:

  • Balabalava Zinaida Vasilieuna
  • Bizyik Roman Ivanovich
  • Bondarenko Svetlana Aleksandrovna
  • Bubenchik Dmitry Vitalievich
  • Bubich Yevgeny Valerievich
  • Karchevsky Sergey Vladimirovich
  • Karnienka Aliaksandr Uladzimirovich
  • Karol Aliaksandr Uladzimirovich
  • Knizhonak Halina
  • Kudlasevich Henadz Ivanavich
  • Leusik Hanna Borisovna
  • Maksimovich Mikalai Vasilievich
  • Mashadziyeu Ruslan Khikmetavich
  • Masliukov Sergey Vasilyevich
  • Murashkin Mikhail Mikhailavich
  • Osipenko Anna Mikhailovna
  • Palchik Andrei Siarheevich
  • Paulouskaya Ina Leanidauna
  • Tarasevich Andrei Romanovich
  • Vasilievich Yury Ivanovich
  • Ziankevich Valyantsina Mikalaeuna

Canada’s response to the conflict in Sudan through sanctions

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Melanie Joly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, has announced that Canada is introducing new sanctions on entities and personals that involved in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

According to the goverments statement, Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, which was exacerbated by the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 and has displaced more than 6.5 million people within the country and has forced another 1.8 million to flee to neighbouring countries.

The list of sanctioned individuals includes:

  • Abdelrahim Hamdan DAGALO (also known as Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, Abdelrahim Dagalo, Abdul Rahim Dagalo, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo Mousa)
  • Ali KARTI (also known as Ali Ahmed Karti)
  • Al Junaid Multi Activities Co. Ltd. (also known as AJMAC Multi Activities Company Ltd., AlGunade, AlJunaid, Algunade, Al Gunade and Al-Juneid)
  • GSK Advance Company Ltd. (also known as GSK Advance, GSK Advance Co. Ltd., GSK for Advanced Business Co. Ltd)
  • Defence Industries System (also known as Military Industry Corporation, Defense Industries Corporation and Defense Industry System)
  • Zadna International Company for Investment Ltd. (also known as Zadna Company and Zadna International Investments).

The UK has imposed sanctions on companies that are funding the war in Sudan

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The British government announced these sanctions against companies that fund the war in Sudan. This war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Response Forces (RSF) began last year on April 15. As a result, over 8.6 million people have fled their homes.

The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses. The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence,” said Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

David Cameron / UK gov

The UK has imposed sanctions on three companies that are funding the war in Sudan. These are:

  • ALKHALEEJ BANK CO LTD. This bank is a key to the RSF financing its operations. Address: 6th Floor, Albaraka Tower 1 Al Qasr P.O. Box 1800 Khartoum Sudan. Phone Number: +249183777222 Website: www.al-khaleejbank.com. Email address: info@al-khaleejbank.com. Business registration number(s): SWIFT/BIN KHJBSDKH / 5040942458.
  • AL-FAKHER ADVANCED WORKS CO. LTD, a holding company used by the RSF to export gold. Address: Sudan. Business registration number: 5087007192.
  • Red Rock Mining Company, a mining and exploration company which is a subsidiary of Sudan Master Technology, which the UK has already designated and provides funds to the SAF. Address: Blok 9, Kafory Khartoum, Sudan. Phone Number: +249 1203 47711. Email address: info@redrocksd.com.

The US and UK have banned Russian metals, and prices are getting high

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On April, 12 the United States, in coordination with the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions to disrupt Russian revenue from its metals trading by prohibiting the importation into the U.S. and UK of aluminum, copper, and nickel of Russian origin.

Now, the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will no longer trade new Russian-produced aluminum, copper and nickel.

“By taking this action in a targeted and responsible manner, we will reduce Russia’s earnings while protecting our partners and allies from unwanted spillover effects.”

Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen
Janet L. Yellen / The U.S. Department of the Treasury

The ban on trading has caused prices at the London Metal Exchange to rise, with aluminum prices surging more than 9% on Monday.

As a consequence, the securities of Russian metallurgical companies have been getting cheaper on the Moscow Exchange (MOEX). For example, the shares of RUSAL, a leading company in the global aluminum industry, have lost around 2% as of 10 am on April 15.

Previously, RUSAL had warned that new sanctions against Russian aluminum would hit European small and medium-sized companies that are an important part of the European economy, responsible for around 70% of aluminum turnover and 92% of employment in the industry.

China imposes sanctions on two US companies supporting Taiwan

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China announced sanctions against two US companies – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems.

The ministry stated that the continued US arms sales to Taiwan violate the “one-China” principle and the three China-US joint communiquуs.

The sanctions freeze all movable and immovable property and other assets of these companies within China.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is a well-known US defense company that produces remotely piloted aircraft.

One of its products is the MQ-9A Reaper. To date, this aircraft has been acquired by several countries, including the US Air Force, US Department of Homeland Security, NASA, Royal Air Force (UK), Italian Air Force, French Air Force, and Spanish Air Force.

An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle carrying eight Hellfire missiles sits on the ramp at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 10, 2020 / Photo: Air Force Senior Airman Haley Stevens / U.S. Department of Defense

The MQ-9 has an endurance of more than 27 hours, a speed of 240 knots, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 746 kilogram payload capacity that includes 1361 kilograms of external stores.

The Council of the EU hits violators of EU sanctions

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The Council of the EU adopted a law to introduce criminal offences for EU sanctions violation.

Some actions will now be considered criminal offences in all member states, repoted the Council of the EU.

The law lays down that member states will need to define certain actions as criminal offences. These include:

• helping persons subject to EU restrictive measures to bypass a travel ban
• trading sanctioned goods and running transactions with states or entities which are hit by EU restrictive measures
• providing financial services or performing financial activities which are prohibited or restricted
• covering up the ownership of funds or economic resources by a person, entity or body which is sanctioned by the EU
Inciting, aiding and abetting these offences will also be punishable as a crime.

This new law is needed to limit the possibility of circumventing sanctions, especially for the Russian economy. In response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU has adopted an unprecedented number of restrictive measures to weaken Russia’s economic base.

U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed export sanctions on companies from Russia, China, and the UAE

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The United States Department of Commerce imposed export sanctions against three companies in Russia, six in China and two in the United Arab Emirate:

  • Aerosila Joint Stock Company (Russia);
  • Delta-Aero Limited Liability Company (Russia);
  • ODK-Star Joint Stock Company (Russia);
  • Beijing Anwise Technology Co., Ltd. (China);
  • Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise Co., Ltd. (China);
  • LINKZOL (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (China);
  • Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Co., Ltd. (China);
  • SITONHOLY (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. (China);
  • Xi’an Like Innovative Information Technology Co., Ltd (China);
  • Khalaj Trading Limited Liability Company (UAE);
  • Mahdi Khalaj Amirhosseini (UAE).

According to a statement from the department, these companies were determined by the U.S. Government to be acting against the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

Most of them were linked to Iranian and Russian end-users. For example, three Russian companies and Chinese Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Co., Ltd. found a network for procuring aerospace components, including dual-use components for UAV applications, for the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) in Iran.

Ukranian President and UAV Shahed / Photo: president.gov.ua

HESA has been under American sanctions since 2008 and currently produces UAVs, called Shahed, which have been used in attacks on oil tankers in the Middle East.

Switzerland bans six individuals for their connection with Hamas

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The Swiss government has joined the EU’s new sanctions against individuals who support Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Six individuals have been sanctioned by the government. One of them is Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin, a senior Hamas operative and member of Hamas’ political bureau.

Other individuals include:

  • Hamza Abdelbasit Elhassan Mohamed Khair. Sex: M, DOB: 28 Aug 1955, POB: Sudan Nationality, Sudan Identification document: Passport No. 10100159792, Sudan;
  • Chouman Nabil Khaled Halil. Sex: M, DOB: 1954, POB: Lebanon, Nationality: Lebanon;
  • Chouman Khaled. Sex: M, DOB: 2 Apr 1987, POB: Lebanon, Nationality: Lebanon;
  • Khamis Rida Ali Sex: M DOB: 20 Sep 1967 Good quality a.k.a.: Khamis Reda Ali Nationality: Lebanon;
  • Al-Duwaik Aiman. Ahmad Sex: M, DOB: 24 Sep 1962, Nationality: Jordan.

EU court lifts sanctions on Russian billionaires Aven, Fridman

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The Court of Justice of the EU annuls the inclusion of Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman on the lists of persons subject to restrictive measures from February 2022 to March 2023.

Petr Aven also holds Latvian citizenship, and Mikhail Fridman holds Israeli citizenship.

Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman are Russian businessmen, who own Alfa Group, which includes Alfa Bank, one of the largest banks in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Petr Aven / Photo: kremlin.ru

In 2022, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman were sanctioned by the EU for their financial support of the Russian government and their involvement in actions and policies that threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

According to the General Court, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman do not demonstrate that they have supported actions or policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or that they have provided material or financial support to the Russian decision-makers.

Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Mikhail Fridman / Photo: kremlin.ru

Petr Aven was Russian Minister of Economic Relations. He left his post in 1992, becoming an advisor to billionaire Boris Berezovsky, who was then President of Russia’s first private car dealership. By 1994, he had become the President of Alfa Bank Russia. This bank had been founded four years earlier in Moscow by Mikhail Fridman.

The EU lifts sanctions on Iranian tech company ArvanCloud

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The European Union has lifted sanctions on the Iranian technology company, ArvanCloud, according to a statement published in the official journal of the EU.

Arvan Cloud (a.k.a. Abr Arvan; Noyan Abr Arvan Co.; Arwan Company; Arvancloud) is a tech startup that offers various cloud solutions. Currently, its portfolio includes cloud products, such as Cloud CDN, Manage DNS, Cloud Security, Video Streaming, Live Streaming Platform.

In 2022, the EU imposed sanctions against Arven Cloud, deciding that it helped the Iranian government to censor the Internet and restrict access to information.

The company has also been linked to individuals responsible for human rights violations in Iran. However, after analyzing Arvan’s activities and finding that it had stopped its support for these activities, the EU decided to lift the sanctions.