29th October 2018
INDIAN AIRLINES’ AIRCRAFT PURCHASE DEAL IN 2005 UNDER INVESTIGATION
Time Now News reported on 29th October that 7 people including a top executive of Airbus have been accused of money laundering and have received notices from the Indian Enforcement Directorate about an aircraft purchase deal by state-owned Indian Airlines in 2005 for the supply of 43 A.320 family aircraft to Indian Airlines in 2005. The allegations included corruption.
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AND THE ENERGY SECTOR – PART 1: IRAN
On 25th October, Bracewell LLP published the first of a planned series of articles, saying that since 2012 one has seen an increase in the use of so-called “sectoral sanctions” which target certain sectors of a state economy. The energy sector is often one of the first targeted. Companies operating in the energy sector, therefore need to understand, and keep abreast of, the ever-changing risks to ensure they do not fall foul of the sanctions that are directly or indirectly applicable to them. The penalties for non-compliance can be severe.
https://bracewell.com/insights/international-sanctions-and-energy-sector-–-part-1-iran
FRANCE IS LEADING THE WAY ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT CONTROL
On 23rd October, Linklaters LLP published an article saying that from one of Europe’s most open jurisdictions to foreign investment, France has become a driving force behind new restrictions. With further domestic legislation expected by the end of the year, investors should take foreign investment regulation even more seriously. Having introduced a foreign investment regime back in 2014, France has now revised its procedures and approach to foreign investment filings, as well as tabling new legislation and regulations that would widen the scope for scrutiny of foreign investments and give French authorities much greater power to sanction non-compliance. The French government is expected to significantly extend the scope of activities it considers sensitive by the end of 2018. It has also announced a stricter sanctions procedure.
GIBRALTAR CONSIDERS WHETHER TO AMEND FUNDS REGIME IN LIGHT OF INCREASED CRYPTO INVESTMENTS
Hogan Lovells on 18th October published an article saying that Gibraltar s considering whether changes are needed to the experienced investor funds (EIF) regime catering for EIF firms investing in digital assets.
BANGLADESH: FORMER PM KHALEDA ZIA SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN JAIL IN CORRUPTION CASE
On 29th October, Scroll in India reported that Zia’s former political secretary and 2 others were also given 7-year jail terms in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Zia is already serving a 5-year jail term for embezzling funds meant for an orphanage.
LATEST GLOBAL PIRACY REPORT: RECORD-LOW HIJACKINGS YET DANGER PERSISTS IN GULF OF GUINEA
The International Chamber of Commerce reported on 26th October that a total of 156 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported to the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in the first 9 months of 2018 – 107 vessels boarded, 32 attempted attacks, 13 vessels fired upon and 4 vessels hijacked – compared to 121 for the same period in 2017. The Gulf of Guinea accounts for 57 of the 156 reported incidents, and at 41 most of these incidents have been reported in and around Nigeria. 37 of the 39 crew kidnappings for ransom globally have occurred in the Gulf of Guinea region, in 7 separate incidents. In other world regions, incidents of piracy and armed robbery are comparatively seldom.
CAYMAN ISLANDS IS ABOUT TO START COMING DOWN HARD ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS
Calvin Ayre on 29th October reported that a new Bill is being introduced that will significantly increase the fines paid for either running — or participating in — gambling activity that is not licensed.
https://calvinayre.com/2018/10/29/business/cayman-islands-look-clean-image-stop-illegal-gambling/
ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK IN THE NEW US-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT (USMCA)
On 27th October, Baker McKenzie published an article which notes that the recent trade agreement to replace NAFTA includes a chapter on anti-corruption, which includes a regional commitment to curb corruption. It details the contents of the chapter. Amongst other things, it establishes the obligation to adopt or maintain appropriate measures to protect whistleblowers from discriminatory and retaliatory actions, if they report in good faith suspected government corruption, embezzlement and misappropriation. It provides for co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of information between the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies of the US, Mexico and Canada.
DHL PARCEL UK COMPLETES REBRAND AS IT CONFIRMS PLANS TO TAKE OVER 3,500 PARCEL SHOPS
CILT in the UK on 29th October reported that DHL Parcel UK has reached an agreement with Pass My Parcel to take over their 3,500 ServicePoints across the UK to meet increased consumer demand for convenient parcel delivery options. The company will now begin to utilise the existing Pass My Parcel network, which will be branded as DHL ServicePoints until it fully takes over the network in June 2019. Formerly UK Mail, the company has now also completed its rebrand and name change to DHL Parcel UK, following its acquisition by Deutsche Post DHL Group in December 2016.
IMO BANS CARRIAGE OF NON-COMPLIANT FUELS BY SHIPPING
On 29th October, Port Technology reported that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has announced it will ban the carriage of non-compliant fuels. It is an amendment to the IMO’s upcoming rules which will prohibit emitting more than 0.5% of sulphur (SOx) emission, due to come into effect in January 1st 2020. The non-compliant fuel ban will become law on March 1st 2020, but ships will be exempt if they are fitted with a scrubber, an exhaust gas system that is designed to wash exhaust gases from the main auxiliary and boilers and reduce sulphur emission.
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/imo_bans_carriage_of_non_compliant_fuels
UK TO INCREASE DUTY-RATE ON ONLINE GAMBLING FROM 15% TO 21%
The UK Budget includes provision increasing the rate of remote gaming duty on operators doing business in the UK with effect from 1st October 2019.
IMF: PANAMA SHOULD IMPROVE TAX TRANSPARENCY
Tax News on 12th October reported that, in the concluding statement of its latest country review, the IMF described Panama’s lack of progress towards adopting outstanding FATF recommendations, particularly the criminalisation of tax evasion, as a “key domestic failure”. The Government’s failure to fully embrace the international tax transparency agenda could lead to “reputational damage” for Panama, the IMF warned.
https://www.tax-news.com/news/IMF_Panama_Should_Improve_Tax_Transparency____96915.html
SFO: EX-AFREN EXECUTIVES SENTENCED FOR FRAUD AND MONEY-LAUNDERING
Reuters on 29th October reported that 2 former executives of collapsed oil company Afren have been sentenced to up to 6 years in prison in the UK after they were convicted of fraud and money laundering over a $300 million business deal. Former Afren CEO Osman Shahenshah and former Chief Operating Officer Shahid Ullah laundered more than $45 million, some of which was used to buy luxury properties in Mustique and the BVI.
UK AMENDS 1 ENTRY ON BURUNDI SANCTIONS LIST
On 29th October, a Notice from HM Treasury advised that the entry for Mathias Joseph NIYONZIMA has been amended, following the change to the underlying EU sanctions.
UK AMENDS 5 ENTRIES ON GUINEA SANCTIONS LIST
On 29th October, a Notice from HM Treasury advised of amendments to the entries for 5 individuals included in the Republic of Guinea sanctions list following the changes to the underlying EU sanctions.
UK CRYPTOASSETS TASKFORCE: FINAL REPORT
On 29th October, HM Treasury published the final report of the HM Treasury/FCA taskforce which sets out the UK’s approach to cryptoassets and distributed ledger technology in financial services.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cryptoassets-taskforce
US PRISONER FAILS TO STOP CONFISCATION OF £50,000 STASHED IN JERSEY BANK
The Jersey Evening Post on 29th October reported that Michael David Reid is currently serving a 14-year sentence in the US. He was part of a sophisticated fraud run from Bogota, Colombia. A US court imposed a forfeiture order of $1 million on his assets. Just over £50,000 was seized from a Jersey bank account in Reid’s name, and he has failed to stop the confiscation.
SPAIN’S HIGH COURT AGREES TO EXTRADITE MEMBER OF CHAVEZ’S INNER CIRCLE TO VENEZUELA
Baker McKenzie on 29th October reported that Spain’s High Court had agreed to extradite a Venezuelan woman, Claudia Patricia Diaz Guillen, who was part of the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez’s inner circle – and was his nurse during his treatment for cancer – to Venezuela where she is suspected of money laundering and illicit enrichment. From 2011 until 2013, she also served as an executive of government fund Fonden – an obscure state-run investment fund which received more than $100 billion in state revenue but produced little if any documentation as to how the funds were spent.
KIDNAPPED SAILORS FREED FROM SWISS VESSEL
Hellenic Shipping News on 29th October reported that 12 crew members kidnapped from a Swiss merchant vessel in Nigerian waters in September are now free, Swiss justice authorities have said. MV Glarus, which was carrying wheat, was travelling between the southwestern commercial capital Lagos and southern Niger Delta oil hub Port Harcourt when it was boarded by pirates.
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/kidnapped-sailors-freed-from-swiss-vessel/
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