OFAC sanctions Syrian government officials

Financial Crimes OFAC Sanctions Syria Of Interest to Non-US Persons

On August 20, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 13573 against two senior members of the Syrian government. OFAC noted that, among other things, the designated individuals allegedly contributed to “the oppression of the Assad regime” in Syria. As a result, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals and subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. OFAC further noted that its regulations “generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons,” and warned that non-U.S. persons that engage in transactions with the designated persons may expose themselves to designation.