On February 23, 2022, the new head of the National Security Division (NSD), Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen announced the termination of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) China Initiative.  The announcement followed a months-long review after criticism from civil rights groups, academics and scientists about the adverse effects caused by the initiative.[1]

On March 14, 2022, the British Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Julian Assange to stop his extradition to the United States, stating his petition “does not raise an arguable point of law.”[1]

On March 11, 2022, the Smithsonian Institute announced that most, but not all, of their 39 Benin Bronzes are marked for return to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCCM).  The Institution’s spokesperson, Linda St. Thomas, said that officials will determine whether to return the remaining artifacts once they are verified as being stolen.

On March 16, 2022, the International Court of Justice delivered its Order on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Ukraine in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation).[1]

The ongoing aggression by Russia against Ukraine has been debated and considered at various fora: UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, Council of Europe, European Union, International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, and European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

On March 4, the sixth Plenary of the FATF, under the German presidency of Dr. Marcus Pleyer, concluded.  It was a hybrid meeting (in person and virtual).

On February 25, 2022, the English Court of Appeal overturned a decision by the High Court[1] that the common law revenue prevents the Danish Revenue Authority (“SKAT”) from recovering withholding tax (“WHT”) refunds on the basis that refund claims were fraudulently made. [2]

On March 3^rd, the Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, filed an application to the Federal High Court for the extradition of former Nigerian “supercop” Abba Kyari to the United States for his alleged link to suspected money launderer Ramon Abbas.  Three weeks prior, Kyari and four other police officers were arrested for their alleged involvement in a cocaine smuggling cartel.  Now, he faces likely extradition to the United States for previous charges wherein he is suspected of taking bribes from alleged Instagram fraudster, Ramon Abbas.

On February 4, 2022, the Treasury Department released its findings concerning money laundering and terror financing in the art market.  More specifically, the study tackles the emerging New Fungible Token (NFT) markets that have exploded in recent months.

On February 15, 2022, Honduran law enforcement authorities arrested former President Juan Orlando Hernández on an extradition warrant from the United States.  The extradition warrant alleges he participated in a “violent drug-trafficking conspiracy.”[1]