The EU General Court on Sept. 20 rejected Russian businessman Alexey Mordashov's application to annul his sanctions listing, according to an unofficial translation. The court said the EU didn't err in finding that Mordashov is an influential businessman in sectors of the Russian government, rejecting his challenges to the process, reasoning and proportionality.
The co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Korea recently introduced a bill that would expand sanctions on any parties involved in trade or financing with North Korea that could lead to arms transfers to Russia.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list ethylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice published Sept. 22. “If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess) or propose to handle ethylphenidate.” Comments are due by Nov. 21.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week issued a reminder to industry to file annual reports on blocked property by Sept. 30. The notice applies to blocked property held as of June 30.
Sanctions and enforcement professionals from the U.K., the EU and the U.S. said although they are pleased with the unprecedented unity and coordination among nations opposed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is an ongoing challenge to fight export control evasion and asset hiding among Russian elites.
The Bureau of Industry and Security added 28 entities from China, Finland, Germany, Oman, Pakistan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to the Entity List for various actions "contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.” The additions, outlined in a final rule effective Sept. 27, are now covered by license requirements for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations, which carry varying license application review policies. BIS also modified two existing entries on the Entity List under the destinations of China and Pakistan. and removed an entity from the Military-End User List under the destination of China.
DOJ's lawsuit against SpaceX looking into whether the space exploration firm wrongly relied on export control laws to justify its alleged hiring discrimination is unconstitutional, the company said in a Sept. 15 complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The company also defended its hiring practices in its complaint, telling the court that it risks “severe consequences” for violating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
A new House bill with bipartisan support could lead to new sanctions against certain entities and people “engaged in the proliferation or use of foreign commercial spyware.” The bill, introduced by Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., would specifically authorize sanctions against any party that develops, maintains, owns, operates, brokers, markets, sells, leases, licenses or “otherwise makes available spyware that has enabled the targeting of United States Government officials or personnel of the intelligence community.”
Canada this week announced another round of sanctions against members of the Haitian economic elite for contributing to violence and corruption in the country. The designations target businessmen Marc Antoine Acra, Carl Braun and Jean Marie Vorbe. “We continue to call on the international community to join Canada in putting pressure on those who directly contribute to the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti,” said Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister. Canada has previously sanctioned people in Haiti who it said have enabled the activity of armed criminal gangs (see 2301130019, 2212200016, 2212060008, 2211210026 and 2211040064).
The Office of Foreign Assets Control reached a $31,867.90 settlement with New York-based Emigrant Bank this week after it allegedly violated U.S. sanctions on Iran by maintaining an account for two Iranian residents. OFAC said the bank maintained a certificate of deposit (CD) account for the two people for about 26 years, and processed 30 transactions between June 2017 and March 2021 worth about $91,000.