The State Department is seeking comments on recent measures that allowed for temporary suspensions and exceptions to provisions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (see 2004240017), it said in a notice. The agency seeks feedback on the “efficacy” and impact of the measures on industry and whether it should extend the measures' expiration dates. The agency is also accepting comments on additional ITAR measures it can take to mitigate burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A State Department official recently said the agency is considering extending some measures, including allowing employees involved in ITAR-related activities to work remotely (see 2005080038). Comments are due June 25.
The U.S. is seeking to withdraw a case against a man convicted of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran (see 2003180019), according to court records filed June 5. U.S. prosecutors said the case should be dropped due to “disclosure-related issues” during the March trial, which would likely lead to “continued litigation about” suppression of evidence. “The Government has determined that it would not be in the interests of justice to further prosecute this case,” prosecutors said in a letter to the court.
The United Nations Security Council granted a one-year sanctions exemption to UNICEF for humanitarian shipments to North Korea, a June 3 Security Council letter said. The exemption will allow shipments “essential” for UNICEF’s programs in North Korea, including sanitation products, water and shipments related to “health” and “nutrition.” The exemption also authorizes shipments related to “the effective treatment of individuals admitted to hospitals.” The UNSC said it approved an extended one-year time frame for the exemption because of “challenges related to the manufacturing and shipment of goods” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State Department designated Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, formerly chief of staff to then-Guatemalan president Alvaro Colom, for corruption, the agency said June 8. The agency also sanctioned family members Beatriz Jansa Bianchi, his wife; his two sons, Jose Javier Alejos Jansa and Gustavo Andres Alejos Jansa; and his minor daughter.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control updated more than 100 Iran-related sanctions entries on its Specially Designated Nationals List, according to a June 8 notice. OFAC did not immediately provide more information about the changes.
A foreign investment review bill being considered by the United Kingdom will significantly expand the number of transactions subject to reviews and create greater due diligence requirements for U.K. companies, trade lawyers said. As more countries aim to increase their foreign investment screening, particularly the U.S. (see 2005200032), the U.K. is hoping to better protect its industry from trade theft and national security threats, the lawyers said.
China’s Commerce Ministry criticized the U.S.’ recent addition of Chinese companies to the Entity List (see 2006030032) and said it will take “all necessary measures” to defend the rights of its companies, according to an unofficial translation of a June 5 notice. China said the U.S. has “abused” its export control measures, “causing serious damage to the international economic and trade order and a serious threat to the security of the global industrial supply chain.”
The Justice Department is seeking a $20 million forfeiture from Kenneth Zong, who allegedly violated U.S. sanctions against Iran and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the agency said in a June 3 news release. Zong worked with three Iranian nationals to illegally convert their money in a South Korean bank account into U.S. dollars, the Justice Department said. To do this, Zong engaged in “fraudulent transactions” and laundered money through a “host” of shell company bank accounts “in multiple jurisdictions,” including the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. The funds were valued at about $1 billion, but about $20 million was used to try to buy a hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia, the agency said.
Five senators announced a bill to expand on sanctions against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The bill would sanction vessels involved in laying the pipes, those who provide the vessels and those who provide tethering services to those vessels, according to a June 4 press release. “This new bill will once and for all clarify that those involved in any way with installing pipeline for the project will face crippling and immediate American sanctions,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who introduced the bill along with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended 335 entries under its Syria sanctions regime, according to a June 4 notice. The amendments update identifying information for the entries, which are still subject to asset freezes, the U.K. said.