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New Developments in the Prosecution of Cyber-Enabled International Crimes |
On January 26, 2026, Chatham House, a world-leading policy institute seeking to address geopolitical challenges and international problems, published a notable research study, Securing justice for... |
Michael Plachta |
42 |
3 |
2026-02-06 |
|
Cybercrime, International Crimes |
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Rio Police Bust Major Wildlife Trafficking Network |
In late September 2025, the State of Rio de Janeiro initiated an anti-wildlife trafficking operation that rescued over 800 wild animals. The animal rescue mission, known as Operation S... |
Dimitris Konstantopoulos |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-30 |
Brazil |
Law Enforcement, Organized Crime, Wildlife Smuggle |
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Russian Basketball Player and French Researcher Released in Rare Russia-France Prisoner Exchange |
In a prisoner swap facilitated on January 8, 2026, Russia and France agreed to release an imprisoned French researcher in exchange for the return of a detained Russian basketball player, in... |
Chloe Fontenelle |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-30 |
France, Russia, United States |
Extradition, International Cooperation |
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Ecuador Files Diplomatic Protest after ICE Tries to Enter its U.S. Consulate and U.S. Allies React to Rule of Law and Human Rights Violations |
On January 28, 2026, the Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it had made a formal diplomatic complaint with the United States (U.S.) after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-30 |
Ecuador, United States |
Consular rights, Human Rights |
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D.C.-Based Advocacy Group Sues Apple Over DRC Conflict Minerals |
On November 25, 2025, International Rights Advocates, a D.C.-based anti-forced labor advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company engages in deceptive marketing of its... |
Lucy Carroll |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-30 |
Congo, United States |
Human Rights, Lawsuits |
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Former Burkina Faso President Extradited Back Home |
On January 20, 2026, the Republic of Togo confirmed that it had extradited Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba --- the former transitional president of Burkina Faso --- to authorities in Burkina Faso. The... |
Austin Wahl |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-30 |
Burkina Faso, Togo |
Extradition |
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European Parliament Strengthens the EU Magnitsky-type Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime |
On January 21, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its resolution addressing impunity through European Union (EU) sanctions, including the EU Global Human Rights sanctions regime (so-called... |
Michael Plachta |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-23 |
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European Union, Human Rights, Sanctions |
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Did the U.S. Plane Resembling a Civilian Plane Used in Boat Strike Violate the Law against Perfidy? |
On January 12, 2026, the New York Times revealed that the United States Department of Defense (DOD) used a secret aircraft painted to appear as though it was a civilian plane in the first attack on... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-23 |
Caribbean, United States |
International Law |
|
2025 Retrospective |
We at the IELR send you best wishes for the new year. 2025 was momentous for the international enforcement community, and we are grateful to have had you following along with our coverage during... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-23 |
World |
International Law |
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Mexico Sends 37 Nationals Wanted for Serious Crimes to the U.S. |
On January 21, 2026, the United States (U.S.) Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it gained custody of thirty-seven fugitives from Mexico who are defendants in federal criminal cases around... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-23 |
Mexico, United States |
Extradition, International Cooperation, Organized Crime, Transfer of Prisoners |
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U.S. Justice Department Dismisses Case over Commercial Bribery in FIFA |
On December 9, 2025, the counsel for the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a brief informing the United States Supreme Court that it was dismissing the criminal case against Hern... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-23 |
United States |
Bribery, Corruption |
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Individualization of Criminal Involvement Under INTERPOL’s Rules |
In yet another case, the government conducted an investigation that, as it is described in the Commission’s decision, “had led [the government] to the [individual], and upon her... |
Yuriy Nemets |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-16 |
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INTERPOL |
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INTERPOL Adopts Changes to CCF Statute and Rules on the Processing of Data |
At its annual meeting on November 24-27, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the INTERPOL General Assembly (GA) adopted changes to INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD) and the Statute of... |
Dr. Ted R. Bromund, Charlie Magri Esq., and Sandra Grossman Esq. |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-16 |
|
INTERPOL, Policy/Directives |
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C$176.9 Million Fine Against Cryptocurrency Exchange From FINTRAC Demonstrates Costs of Non-Compliance |
The C$176.9 million administrative monetary penalty imposed against the Vancouver-based, overseas-operated, cryptocurrency exchange Xeltox Enterprises Ltd., operating under the name Cryptomus, by... |
Simon Grant, Jessica Horwitz, Andrew Bozzato, and Nicole Liu, Bennett Jones LLP |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-16 |
Canada |
Financial Enforcement, Regulation |
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HSBC Agrees to Settle Criminal Cum-Cum Dividend Tax Case |
On January 8, 2026, the French financial prosecutors announced that British-based bank HSBC had agreed to pay a €267.5 million fine to settle criminal charges concerning an alleged dividend... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
2 |
2026-01-16 |
France |
Financial Enforcement, Tax Crimes |
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New York Governor Vetoes Entity Transparency for Domestic Companies |
On December 19, 2025, the New York state governor, Kathy Hochul, vetoed a bill that would have obligated domestic (i.e., United States) companies operating in the state of New York to file their... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
1 |
2026-01-09 |
United States |
Counter-terrorism, Financial Enforcement, Money Laundering |
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Over Fifty Delegations Sign Joint Declaration on the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling |
On December 10, 2025, the second International Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling (“the Conference’) assembled in Brussels, hosted by the European Commission... |
Chloe Fontenelle |
42 |
1 |
2026-01-09 |
World |
European Commission, Human Rights, Human Trafficking, Smuggle |
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The Legality of the U.S. Arrest of the Venezuelan President and Wife |
On January 2, 2025, the United States (U.S.) government sent special armed forces into Venezuela to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Shortly thereafter, U.S.... |
Bruce Zagaris |
42 |
1 |
2026-01-09 |
United States, Venezuela |
Arrest, Extradition |
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U.S. Seizures of Venezuela-Linked Oil Tankers Raise Questions About Washington’s Compliance with International and Domestic Law |
On January 7, 2026, the United States (U.S.) military boarded and seized an oil tanker sailing under the Russian flag with alleged ties to Venezuela.[2] In 2024, the U.S. government sanctioned... |
Dimitris Konstantopoulos |
42 |
1 |
2026-01-09 |
United States, Venezuela |
International Law, Seizure |
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South Africa Arrests Five Suspected of Recruitment of Nationals into the Russian Military |
On November 27 and 28, 2025, officers from South Africa’s elite Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested four men at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport,... |
Chloe Fontenelle |
42 |
1 |
2026-01-02 |
Russia, South Africa |
Arrest, International Law, Mercenaries |
