OFAC sanctions four individuals for human rights violations in Iraq

Financial Crimes Of Interest to Non-US Persons OFAC Department of Treasury Sanctions Iraq

On July 18, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 13818 against two militia figures and two former Iraqi governors for alleged human rights abuses or corruption violations of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. According to OFAC, the four individuals committed the corruption-and abuse-related actions “in areas where persecuted religious communities are struggling to recover from the horrors inflicted on them by ISIS.” As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC notes that its regulations “generally prohibit” U.S. persons from participating in transactions with these individuals and entities.