OFAC sanctions Iraqi militia leader for human rights abuse

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

On January 8, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against an Iraqi militia leader for his alleged connection to serious human rights abuses. According to OFAC, the sanctions are taken pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and “targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption.” As a result of the sanctions, all of the militia leader’s property and interests in property that are in the United States, as well as any entities that are owned 50 percent or more by him are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Additionally, OFAC regulations “generally prohibit” U.S. persons from participating in financial transactions with the individual and blocked entities.