Lammy targets three wealthy oligarchs in new anti-corruption sanctions

The UK has sanctioned 3 oligarchs arsenic it seeks to ace down connected soiled wealth flowing into the country.

A pistillate erstwhile dubbed “Africa’s richest woman” and an oligarch who extracted hundreds of millions of pounds from the Ukrainian system are among those taxable to caller question bans and plus freezes signed disconnected by the Foreign Secretary.

The announcement marks the commencement of a run by David Lammy to tackle corruption and illicit finance.

“These unscrupulous individuals selfishly deprive their chap citizens of much-needed backing for education, healthcare and infrastructure – for their ain enrichment,” the Foreign Secretary said.

He added: “I committed to taking connected kleptocrats and the soiled wealth that empowers them erstwhile I became Foreign Secretary and these sanctions people the archetypal measurement successful delivering this ambition. The tide is turning. The aureate property of wealth laundering is over.”

The individuals who person been targeted nether the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 are:

– Dmitry Firtash, an oligarch who has extracted hundreds of millions of pounds from Ukraine done corruption, his woman Lada Firtash, who holds UK assets connected his behalf, and Denis Gorbunenko, who is based successful the UK and enabled and facilitated Mr Firtash.

– Isabel Dos Santos, the girl of Angola’s erstwhile president who systematically abused her positions astatine state-run companies to embezzle astatine slightest £350 million. Two of her associates, concern spouse Paula Oliveira and her main fiscal serviceman Sarju Raikundalia, besides look sanctions.

– Aivars Lembergs, a Latvian person and oligarch. He was recovered blameworthy successful 2021 of 19 charges including extorting bribes, forgery of documents, wealth laundering and improper usage of bureau successful a tribunal successful Riga. His girl Liga besides faces sanctions, arsenic proceeds of his corruption are held successful her name.

Targeting some the individuals and those who person helped them fell soiled wealth is simply a “step change” successful however the UK applies sanctions, according to the Foreign Office, with the purpose of creating a much hostile situation for corrupt actors.

The Foreign Secretary is moving alongside different elder Cabinet ministers connected anti-corruption efforts.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Corruption harms societies, undermines information and lines the pockets of criminals successful the UK and crossed the globe.

“That’s wherefore this authorities is committed to moving with partners astatine location and overseas to forestall these transgression practices and prosecute those who payment from the travel of soiled money.

“This enactment signals a caller section successful our efforts to tackle the scourge of corruption wherever it occurs.”