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NEW IRAN SANCTIONS FROM UK, AUSTRALIA AND EU

On 20 March, the EU Sanctions blog reported that the UK has added 7 people to its Iran (human rights) sanctions list.  The EU has listed the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution alongside 8 people who are alleged to be responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.  Australia has designated Safiran Airport Services and 13 people, over their alleged involvement in the production and supply of drones to Russia.  Australia has also listed 14 people and 14 entities alleged to be responsible for egregious human rights abuses and violations in Iran. 

https://www.europeansanctions.com/2023/03/uk-eu-australia-designate-iranian-nationals-entities/

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

The FCA has published this report which found that most PBS have assessed the TCSP risk within their own supervised populations as being relatively low.  This is contrary to the National Risk Assessment 2020 (NRA) which categorised TCSP as higher risk.  It says that PBS view company formation as a higher risk TCSP service, but had different views on the higher-risk and lower-risk indicators of TCSP services.  They also did not demonstrate a consistent understanding of TCSP ‘supply chain’ risk.

https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/multi-firm-reviews/opbas-multi-pbs-project-tcsp-risk.pdf

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

On 20 March, a Notice from HM Treasury advised that 7 individuals linked to the IRGC have been added to the UK’s Iran human rights sanctions lists.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1143792/Notice_Iran__Human_Rights__200323.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-top-iranian-revolutionary-guard-corps-financiers

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

On 14 March, an article from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP was concerned with recent Court of Appeal decision which highlights the principles a court will apply when deciding whether a benefit received by a victim of fraud reduces its recoverable loss.  The Court decided that the claimant’s damages for an unlawful means conspiracy could be reduced to reflect any benefit it had obtained by negotiating a settlement limiting its onward liability to a third party – although on the facts no such benefit had been obtained.

https://hsfnotes.com/cf/2023/03/14/when-will-a-fraud-victims-settlement-of-its-onward-liability-affect-the-amount-recoverable-from-the-fraudster/#page=1

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

Thought we were away this weekend, until checking directions to the accommodation I found that I had rearranged the trip until next weekend…

At least this meant I didn’t miss the interesting Japan exhibition at the Biblioteca Nacional in the lovely Parque Omar Torrijos (only in Panama, maybe, would you have a park named after a popular dictator, who turned a former golf course into the best recreational park in the city). Bonzai, kimonos, kendo and manga…

19 MARCH 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

La Prensa reported that at least 5high-profile officials of the administration of former President Ricardo Martinelli (who was President 2009-2014) have suffered harsh judicial setbacks in recent months. Some have had convictions confirmed for crimes ranging from embezzlement, corruption, and money laundering.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported that so far this year, 958 cases of dengue have been confirmed nationwide. However, to date no deaths have been reported.

18 MARCH 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

Had to go to the US Embassy this morning, and judging from the queue at the gate everyone is planning to leave Panama…odd to find the consular official commenting on my “scouse” accent (it turned out he was from Norwich). It has to be said that the Embassy is in a lovely setting, with nice gardens, and I saw a toucan flying across. This is very unlike the almost anonymous British Embassy, tucked away on a busy street in the city, and occupying just a small part of an equally anonymous office block.

The National Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Panama showed a year-on-year variation of 2.0% in February, and virtually no change compared to January. It was said that the products with the greatest increases year-on-year variation were housing, water, electricity and gas (as electricity is cheap, has been subsidised since the start of the pandemic, and retirees get a discount anyway – gas is also subsidised and water bills seem very modest – so I am not sure how this can be).

17 MARCH 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

OFSI has issued this updated guidance.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1143219/March_2023_Monetary_Penalty_and_Enforcement_Guidance.pdf

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

On 17 March, a Notice from HM Treasury advised that Brian McDonald, head of Russia desk for the English language edition of RT (formerly Russia Today), has been deleted; the entry for Igor Makarov have been amended; and a duplicate entry for the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant has been deleted.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1143667/Notice_Russia_170323.pdf

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

After Costa Rica extradited Panamanian gang leader, Jorge Rubén Camargo Clarke (aka “Cholo Chorrillo”), to the US on 3 February, comes news that Costa Rica has now extradited his wife to Panama. Nancy Abigail Guerrel Góngora faces money laundering charges in Panama.

In other news, the Government reports that tourism numbers have recovered, but are still below pre-pandemic levels. We saw a few today, down on the Amador Causeway and at the Biomuseo, most of whom appeared to be Europeans, and met up with a couple of Croatian lads.

16 MARCH 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y