The International Enforcement Law Reporter

The International Enforcement Law Reporter is a monthly print and online journal covering news and trends in international enforcement law.

Since September 1985, the International Enforcement Law Reporter has analyzed the premier developments in both the substantive and procedural aspects of international enforcement law. Read by practitioners, academics, and politicians, the IELR is a valuable guide to the difficult and dynamic field of international law.

English High Court Deny Abraaj Founder’s Efforts to Stop Extradition to U.S. for Fraud

Friday, March 17, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On March 8, 2023, an English High Court rejected final efforts of Arif Naqvi, the founder of a failed private equity firm, to block his extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States for alleged fraud and money laundering.[1]



[1]    Naqvi v. The Government of the United States, case number CO/1205/2021, Administrative Court, Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

 

Swiss Prosecute Bankers for Assisting Putin’s Strawman

Friday, March 17, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On March 8, 2023, a trial started in which Swiss prosecutors are prosecuting four banking executives for allegedly managing accounts that assisted move millions of dollars of money belonging to Russian president Vladimir Putin.[1]



[1]    Nick Cumming-Bruce, Swiss Bankers Are Charged With Aiding Putin Ally, N.Y. Times, March 9, 2023.

 

LM Ericsson Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $206M for Violation of 2019 FCPA DPA

Friday, March 10, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On March 2, 2023, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson), a multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Stockholm Sweden has agreed to plead guilty and pay a criminal penalty of more than $206 million after violating a 2019 Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA).

FATF Upgrades Beneficial Ownership Standards, Acts on Ransomware, Improves Implementation of Requirements for Virtual Assets and Service Providers, and Laundering in Art and Antiquities Markets

Friday, March 10, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 22-24, 2023, the second plenary of the FATF under the Singapore presidency concluded.

U.S. Increases Sanctions, Export Control and Support for Ukraine on Anniversary of Russian Invasion

Friday, March 10, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 24, 2023, the White House and several agencies announced a series of additional sanctions on Russia on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and announced addition measures to continue provide Ukraine with support, among other things, to hold Russia accountable for its war of aggression.[1]



[1]    White House, One Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Biden Administration Announces Actions to Support Ukraine and Hold Russia Accountable, Feb. 24, 2023.

 

Germany Sentences Syrian-Palestinian War Criminal to Life in Prison

Friday, March 3, 2023
Author: 
Alex Mostaghimi
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 23, 2023, a German court convicted a Palestinian man from Syria for several counts of murder and attempted murder for firing a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) into a group of civilians in Damascus on March 23, 2014.  The blast killed four people and seriously wounded two others waiting to receive food assistance from the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.  The defendant was first charged with war crimes, seven counts of murder, and three counts of attempted murder in August 2022.[1]



[1] Ayhan Simsek, Germany Jails Syrian Man for War Crimes in Damascus, AA.COM, February 23, 2023 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/germany-jails-syrian-man-for-war-crimes-in-damascus/2829272.

 

The Impact of the Sapin II Act on the Extraterritorial Application of American law and on cooperation between France and the United States in the fight against international corruption

Friday, March 3, 2023
Author: 
Valentina Lana & Michel Sapin
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

With respect to international corruption, called “bribery of foreign public officials,” the following questions spontaneously arise: Who is in charge of fighting corruption in a country? Can a country prosecute another country's corruption cases, with what legitimacy and on what legal basis? Who determines jurisdiction?

Switzerland Initiates Proceedings to Confiscate Assets Linked to former Ukrainian President Yanukovych

Friday, March 3, 2023
Author: 
Alex Mostaghimi
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 15, 2023, the Swiss Federal Council decided to launch administrative proceedings to confiscate assets linked to former Ukrainian President Yanukovych, and his associates, that have been frozen since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution that saw him leave his office.  The Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Finances (FDF) to initiate forfeiture proceedings in the Federal Administrative Court (FAC) for assets totaling over $130 million in Swiss francs.  Pursuant to prior agreements, any property that is permanently confiscated will be returned to Ukraine.[1]

 

EU Issues Revised List of Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions for Tax Purposes Adds 4 New Ones

Friday, March 3, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 14, 2023, the European Council issued a revised list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.  It added to its list the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands and Russia.[1]



[1]    Council of the European Union, Taxation: British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands and Russia added to EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, Feb. 14, 2023 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/14/taxation-british-virgin-islands-costa-rica-marshall-islands-and-russia-added-to-eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions-for-tax-purposes.

 

HMRC Arrests Two Men in Tax Fraud Investigation of Customers of Collapsed Puerto Rican Bank

Friday, March 3, 2023
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
39
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 

On February 20, 2023, the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers arrested two men in a multi-million-pound tax fraud investigation involving customers of the collapsed Puerto Rican-based Euro Pacific Bank (EPB).[1]



[1]    HMRC, Two arrested as global bank probe gathers pace, Press Rel., Feb. 20, 2023.

 

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