On March 12, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) initiated sanctions against specific individuals who have been accused of materially assisting, sponsoring, and providing material, financial, or technological support, or goods or services to, or in support of Al-Ashtar Brigades.

These individuals are all suspected operatives of the Al-Ashtar Brigades, which is a designated terrorist group. Al-Ashtar Brigades were officially declared to be a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2018 by the Department of State.

The operatives who have been sanctioned are all residing in Iran after fleeing persecution in Bahrain. These individuals were being sought in Bahrain due to supporting terrorism-related activities. These individuals are:

• Hussein Ahmad “Abdallah Ahmad Hussein Al-Dammami”
• Ali Abdulnabi Ahmed Ebrahim M Alshofa
• Hasan Ahmed Radhi Husain Sarhan
• Isa Saleh Isa Mohamed Salman

All of these individuals are suspected of directly supporting lethal operations within Bahrain’s borders. As a result of these recent sanctions, the OFAC is blocking and prohibiting all transactions by U.S. individuals or entities involving the property or interests of these individuals and their financial institutions.

Do You Have Questions About OFAC Sanctions?

If your business works with various international clients and groups, then it’s important to get informed regarding OFAC sanctions and how they could impact your transactions. OFAC rules and regulations apply to everyone in the U.S., including corporations, entities, and even foreign branches that are incorporated with U.S. businesses.

When you’re unsure about a new client, it might make sense to do a quick sanctions search (https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/) with the OFAC before you sign any agreements or contracts. If you’re not exactly sure how to go about the process or you need help remaining compliant with OFAC rules, then it might make more sense to consult with an international attorney.

Why?

If you violate OFAC sanctions and wind up conducting business with a sanctioned individual, entity, or corporation, then you could be treated very harshly under the law. The OFAC considers this type of behavior a serious threat to national security and foreign relations since sanctioned groups are typically aiding terrorists or providing funds and support to enemies of the state.

Violations will result in criminal charges. If convicted, then you could face hefty financial fines that could potentially exceed millions of dollars depending on the nature of your business and the violation. A conviction could also result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

When you do business globally, it’s always in your best interest to hire an international attorney who can help you ensure that you’re following all the rules. Even when you voluntarily disclose a violation that you didn’t realize happened in the past, you’ll still be subject to serious fines.

Here at Bukh Global, our lawyers can help you go over your business, clients, and international laws to make sure that you’re not at risk of getting hit with violations, fines, or criminal charges. Reach out to our office now to schedule your first consultation.