On 22 July, Euromaidan Press from Ukraine reported that Poland’s Central Anti-Corruption Bureau had detained Sławomir Nowak, the country’s former transport minister and former head of the Ukrainian automobile road agency, and 2 other people.
Day: July 22, 2020
AMENDED UKRAINE- AND RUSSIA-RELATED FAQ
On 22 July, OFAC issued 9 amended Ukraine-/Russia-related FAQ to reflect the issue of General Licenses 130 (Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Divest or Transfer Debt, Equity, or Other Holdings in GAZ Group) and 151 (Authorizing Certain Activities Involving GAZ Group).
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200722.aspx
EXTREME CORRUPTION PERSISTS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S AILING HEALTH SECTOR
On 22 July, an article in Business Day in South Africa says that public health facilities are crippled by a variety of corrupt employment and procurement practices as well as misappropriation of scarce resources. It refers to a just-published report from watchdog Corruption Watch and saying that it had received almost 700 reports of corruption relating to the health sector. It refers to absenteeism, allegations of nepotism and favouritism as well as the appointment of unsuitable candidates with no accountability for employment decisions.
the report can be accessed at –
https://www.polity.org.za/article/x-ray-the-critical-state-of-the-health-sector-in-sa-2020-07-22
UK EXTENDS NEW GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS SANCTIONS TO ISLE OF MAN AND OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
On 22 July, 2 new Orders were published. I have inserted a new slide in the presentation I previously prepared.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/774/contents/made
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/773/contents/made
https://www.gov.im/news/2020/jul/22/financial-sanctions-global-human-rights-regime/
CANADA CHANGES ITS EXPORT POLICY TOWARD HONG KONG – ARE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS NEXT?
On 20 July, McCarthy Tetrault published a post saying that Canada will treat exports and transfers of sensitive goods and technology to Hong Kong the same as those destined for mainland China, and will prohibit exports of sensitive military items to Hong Kong.
EXPORT OF ITEMS LISTED ON THE EXPORT CONTROL LIST TO HONG KONG
A Notice to Exporters on 7 July is concerned with the change of export control policy involving Hong Kong.
https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1003.aspx?lang=eng
OFAC GUIDANCE ON HONG KONG SANCTIONS
OFAC has supplied information about the application of US sanctions in respect of Hong Kong – FAQ, guidance, how to apply for a licence and the legal framework.
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/hk.aspx
THE UK WILL EXTEND THE ARMS EMBARGO THAT APPLIES TO CHINA TO HONG KONG
On 20 July, the Foreign Secretary announced that change and clarified that the extension of the embargo means there will be no exports from the UK to Hong Kong, of potentially lethal weapons, their components or ammunition. It will also mean a prohibition on the export of any equipment not already banned, which might be used for internal repression, such as shackles, intercept equipment, firearms and smoke grenades.
Notice to Exporters 2020/12 advised that open general licences that include Hong Kong will be changed or amended to bring them in line with restrictions on China from 20 July.
LONDON PROPERTY, OLIGARCHS AND CRIME
Following yesterday’s report of a judge allowing the seizure of a £5 million London apartment linked to the Petrobas Operation Car Wash case come the following –
BELGRAVIA PROPERTY LINKED TO JUAN CARLOS INQUIRY
On 22 July, KYC 360 reported a story from The Times saying that a Swiss prosecutor leading a money laundering inquiry into secret offshore accounts linked to the former king of Spain is investigating the source of funds used by his former lover to buy a £5.5 million house in Eaton Square, London.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/belgravia-property-linked-to-juan-carlos-inquiry-fn970q6lh
RUSSIA BLAZED A TRAIL FOR CHINESE OLIGARCHS TO NAB LONDON PROPERTY
On 22 July, Wired, commenting on the just-released (and long delayed) Parliamentary report on Russian interference/influence in the UK, quotes the report saying that the UK welcomed Russian money, and few questions – if any – were asked about the provenance of this considerable wealth. It says that now that Russia has created a well-trodden path, China is marching in – and the UK can’t afford to be as complacent this time. It is said that Hong Kong buyers have overtaken purchasers from Russia and India to become the largest group of overseas buyers investing in residential and commercial property in London, and 15% of homes bought for more than £1 million by international buyers in prime central London are now bought by those from China or Hong Kong. The investment was, in fact, the second wave of Chinese cash washing into the UK, according to an academic quoted in the article.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/russia-report-real-estate
HOW LONDON BECAME RUSSIANS’ LAUNDROMAT, NO QUESTIONS ASKED
On 22 July, another article from The Times comments on the Russian influence report, saying that Britain has left it too late to untangle the web of Russian influence that permeates the upper ranks of the political and business establishment.
raytodd.blog 