A man allegedly linked to a Hezbollah trafficker has been arrested in the UK

The United States sanctions a sanctions evasion network for the benefit of the Lebanese Shiite militia party

19 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

British police arrested a man allegedly linked to a merchant suspected of financing the Lebanese Shiite party-militia Hezbollah on Tuesday.

The UK authorities have specified that the Anti-Terrorism Command arrested a 50-year-old man in Wales, from where they have transferred him to London, for his alleged links to Nazem Ahmad, an art collector and diamond dealer.

The agents have indicated that the arrest occurs on suspicion of terrorist crimes, while the suspect remains in custody at a police station in the capital of the country, as reported by the BBC.

SANCTIONS AGAINST A FINANCING NETWORK IN FAVOR OF HEZBOLLAH

Hours earlier, the Treasury Department has announced actions “against a global sanctions evasion network that facilitates the payment, shipment and delivery of cash, works of art and luxury items for the benefit” of Nazem Ahmad, alleged Hezbollah financier and “sanctioned terrorist.”

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has specified that the sanctions cover 52 individuals and entities from Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Angola, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Kingdom and Hong Kong.

All of these sanctions would have helped Ahmad “to evade US sanctions to maintain his ability to finance Hezbollah and his luxurious lifestyle.”

The Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, has explained that the people in this network “used shell companies and fraudulent schemes to disguise the role of Nazem Ahmad in financial transactions.”

“Luxury goods market participants should be vigilant about these potential tactics and schemes, which allow terrorist financiers, money launderers, and sanctions evaders to launder illicit proceeds through the purchase and shipment of luxury goods,” has added.

The US government, which has indicated that it will continue to hold accountable those who seek to harm the US and its partners, has explained that these actions are being coordinated between the State, Treasury, Justice, Interior and Commerce departments, as well as with the UK authorities. United.

“Today’s actions highlight the tactics used by sanctions evaders, money launderers and terrorist supporters, as well as the risks of doing business in permissive sectors such as the art, diamond and gem markets. “, says a statement.