SECO Updates

November 7, 2019: SECO delists Mourad Ben Ali Ben Al-Basheer Al-Trabelsi

On Thursday, Swiss authorities removed the following person:

SSID: 10-14654 Foreign identifier: QI.A.151.03. Name: Mourad Ben Ali Ben Al-Basheer Al-Trabelsi

DOB: 20 May 1969 POB: Manzil Tmim, Tunisia Good quality a.k.a.: Aboue Chiba Brahim Low quality a.k.a.: Abou Djarrah Address: Libya Street Number 9, Manzil Tmim, Nabeul, Tunisia Nationality: Tunisia Identification document: a) Passport No. G827238, Tunisia, Date of issue: 1 Jun 1996, Expiry date: 31 May 2001 b) Other No. 05093588, Tunisia (National identification)

Other identity: Aboue Chiba Brahim DOB: 2 Sep 1966 POB: Libya

Other identity: Arouri Taoufik

DOB: 2 Sep 1964 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Ben Salah Adnan DOB: 2 Apr 1966 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Sassi Adel

DOB: 2 Sep 1966 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Salam Kamel DOB: 2 Feb 1963 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Salah Adnan DOB: 4 Feb 1965 POB: Algeria Other identity: Arouri Faisel DOB: 2 Mar 1965 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Bentaib Amour DOB: 9 Feb 1965 POB: Morocco Other identity: Adnan Salah DOB: 1 Apr 1966 POB: Tunisia Other identity: Hasnaoui Mellit

DOB: 1972 POB: Morocco

Other identity: Arouri Taoufik ben Taieb

DOB: 9 Feb 1964 POB: Tunisia

Other identity: Abouechiba Brahim

DOB: 2 Sep 1966 POB: Lebanon

Other identity: Farid Arouri

DOB: 2 Jun 1964 POB: Tunisia

Other identity: Ben Magid

DOB: 2 Jun 1966 POB: Lebanon

Other identity: Maci Ssassi

DOB: 2 Jun 1972 POB: Libya

Other identity: Salah ben Anan

DOB: 2 Apr 1966 POB: Tunisia

Other identity: Hasnaui Mellit

DOB: 1972 POB: Morocco

Other information: Extradited from Italy to Tunisia on 13 Dec 2008. Imprisoned in Mornaguia Prison on 29 Nov 2011 pursuant to an order issued by the Court of First Instance of Grombalia for excavation of artefacts without a licence (case No. 12680/2011). Released on 27 Dec 2011 after charges against him were dismissed. Inadmissible to the Schengen area. Mother’s name is Mabrukah al-Yazidi. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Apr 2010. Modifications: Amended on 2 Mar 2016, de- listed on 5 Nov 2019

from its Al-Qaida/Bin Laden/Taliban counter terrorism sanctions program.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

SECO amends 2 Burundi listings

Earlier today, Swiss authorities amended the following 2 individual Burundi sanctions designations:

SSID: 25-32655 Name: Godefroid Bizimana

Sex: M DOB: 23 Apr 1968 POB: Nyagaseke, Mabayi, Cibitoke Nationality: Burundi Identification document: Passport No. DP0001520, Burundi

Justification: “Chargé de missions de la Présidence” and former Deputy Director- GeneralDirector General of the National Police, responsiblePolice. Responsible for undermining democracy by making operational decisions that have led to a disproportionate use of force and acts of violent repression towards peaceful demonstrations that started on 26 Apr 2015 following the announcement of the presidential candidacy of President Nkurunziza. Modifications: Listed on 4 Dec 2015, amended on 8 Nov 2019

SSID: 25-32672 Name: Mathias JosephMathias-Joseph Niyonzima

DOB: a) 6 Mar 1956 b) 2 Jan 1967 POB: Kanyosha Commune, Mubimbi, Bujumbura-Rural Province, Burundi Good quality a.k.a.: Kazungu Identification document: Passport No. OP0053090, Burundi

Justification: Officer of the National Intelligence Service. Responsible for obstructing the search for a political solution in Burundi by inciting violence and acts of repression during the demonstrations that started on 26 AprilApr 2015 following the announcement of the presidential candidacy of President Nkurunziza. Responsible for helping to train, coordinate and arm the Imbonerakure paramilitary militias, including outside Burundi, who are responsible for acts of violence, repression and serious human rights abuses in Burundi. Other information: Registration number (SNR): O/00064 Modifications: Listed on 4 Dec 2015, amended on 8 Nov 2018, 8 Nov 2019

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

SECO desists 2 Iraqi State Organizations

Earlier today, Swiss authorities removed the following 2 entities:

SSID: 70-2820 Name: State Organization For Irrigation Projects

Good quality a.k.a.: General Establishment For Irrigation Projects Address: a) Northgate, Karanteena, P.O.Box 148, Baghdad, Iraq b) Al-Muadham, near Engineering College, P.O.Box 14186, Baghdad, Iraq

Modifications: De-listed on 30 Oct 2019

SSID: 70-2826 Name: State Organization For Land Reclamation

Good quality a.k.a.: a) General Establishment For Plantation And Development Of The Reclaimed Lands b) General Establishment For Execution Of Land Reclamation Contracts c) General Establishment For Land Reclamation Of Central And Northern Areas d) General Establishment For Land Reclamation Of Southern Areas Address: a) Amiriya, Abu Gharib, P.O.Box 6161, Baghdad, Iraq b) Aamrlya 7, P.O.Box 6061, Nisan, Iraq c) Al-Sadoon St., P.O.Box 609, Baghdad, Iraq d) Wasit Province, P.O.Box 27, Kut, Iraq

Modifications: De-listed on 30 Oct 2019

from its Iraq sanctions program.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

SECO amends Anjem Choudary counter terror listing

Earlier today, Swiss authorities amended the listing of:

SSID: 10-39773 Foreign identifier: QDi.419 Name: Anjem Choudary

DOB: 18 Jan 1967 POB: Welling, London, United Kingdom Low quality a.k.a.: Abu Luqman Address: Frankland PrisonLondon, United Kingdom Nationality: United Kingdom Identification document: Passport No. 516384722, United Kingdom, Date of issue: 6 May 2013, Expiry date: 6 Jun 2023 (issued by Passport Office Glasgow)

Relation: Pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida in Iraq (QE.J.115.04., SSID 10-17311) Other information: Pledged allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), listed as Al- Qaida in Iraq (SSID 10-17311) in Jul 2014. Imprisoned in the United Kingdom in Sep 2014 with a tentative releaseand subsequently released on licence in Oct 20182018 which expires in Jul 2021. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice available. Modifications: Listed on 15 Oct 2018, amended on 11 Oct 2019

under its bin Laden/Al-Qaida/Taliban counter terrorism sanctions program.

Here is FINMA’s notice:

News

15 October 2019 

Financial sanction

Updated sanction message

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has published an amendment to Annex 2 of the Ordinance of 2 October 2000 on Measures against Persons and Organizations Related to Usama bin Laden, the Al-Qaïda or the Taliban (SR 946.203).

By decision of 11 October 2019, the relevant UN Sanctions Committee amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. Therefore, on 14 October 2019, SECO adjusted the Swiss sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which was relevant for Switzerland, and published the adaptation on its website .

Financial Intermediaries are requested to immediately block the relevant assets and to report such business relationships to SECO in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation. Notification to SECO does not release a financial intermediary from reimbursing reports to the Money Laundering Reporting Office without delay if the requirements are fulfilled, in accordance with Art. 9 of the Money Laundering Law.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

October 11, 2019: SECO adds 7 to Venezuela sanctions

On Friday, Swiss authorities added the following individuals to its Venezuela sanctions program:

SSID: 290-40995 Name: Nestor Blanco Hurtado

Sex: M DOB: 26 Sep 1982 Identification document: ID card No. V-15222057, Venezuela Justification: Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least Dec 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41001 Name: Rafael Ramon Blanco Marrero

Sex: M DOB: 28 Feb 1968 Identification document: ID card No. V-6250588, Venezuela Justification: Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least Dec 2018 and Division General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army since 5 Jul 2019. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities that were committed by DGCIM officials under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41007 Name: Carlos Calderon

Sex: M

Justification: Senior office holder (referred to as Commissioner, Director and Director General) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in SEBIN facilities. In particular, he participated in and was responsible for acts of torture and the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees in El Helicoide, a SEBIN prison. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41011 Name: Alexis Enrique Escalona Marrero

Sex: M DOB: 12 Oct 1962

Justification: Chief in Charge of the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing (ONDOFT). National Commander of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (Comando Nacional Antiextorsión y Secuestro (CONAS)) between 2014 and 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and the mistreatment of detainees by members of CONAS under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of CONAS under his command. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41016 Name: Rafael Antonio Franco Quintero

Sex: M DOB: 14 Oct 1973 Identification document: ID card No. V-11311672, Venezuela Justification: Agent in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Head of Investigations at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between at least 2017 and Dec 2018. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities by members of the DGCIM under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by members of the DGCIM under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41022 Name: Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga

Sex: M DOB: 25 Mar 1981 Identification document: ID card No. V-14970215, Venezuela Justification: Head (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate- General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force causing death and injury and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities committed by himself and also officials under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of DGCIM under his command, as well as directly involved in such repression. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

SSID: 290-41028 Name: Hannover Esteban Guerrero Mijares

Sex: M DOB: 14 Jan 1971

Justification: Head of Investigations at the Directorate-General of Military Counter- Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from at least Apr 2019 to Aug 2019. As Head of Investigations he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and the ill-treatment of detainees committed by him and also by officials under his command, particularly in Boleita. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019

And here is FINMA’s notice:

News

October 11, 2019 

International sanction

Updated sanction message

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF has published an amendment to Annex 1 of the Ordinance of 28 March 2018 on Measures against Venezuela (SR 946.231.178.5).

On 10 October 2019, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. The WBF has therefore adjusted the Swiss sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and published the adaptation on its website . This change will take effect on October 11, 2019 at 18:00.

Financial Intermediaries are requested to immediately block the relevant assets and to report such business relationships to SECO in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation. Notification to SECO does not release a financial intermediary from reimbursing reports to the Money Laundering Reporting Office without delay if the requirements are fulfilled, in accordance with Art. 9 of the Money Laundering Law.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

SECO amends Nizar Al-Assad Syria sanctions listing

News

01 October 2019 

International sanction

Updated sanction message

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF has published an amendment to Annex 7 of the Ordinance of 8 June 2012 on Measures against Syria (SR 946.231.172.7).

On 27 September 2019, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. The WBF has therefore adjusted the Swiss sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and published the adaptation on its website . The change will take effect on 1 October 2019 at 18.00.

Financial Intermediaries are requested to immediately block the relevant assets and to report such business relationships to SECO in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation. Notification to SECO does not release a financial intermediary from reimbursing reports to the Money Laundering Reporting Office without delay if the requirements are fulfilled, in accordance with Art. 9 of the Money Laundering Act. 

Earlier today, Swiss authorities updated the following Syria sanctions listing:

SSID: 200-11857 Name: Nizar al-AsaadAl-Assad

Sex: M Good quality a.k.a.: a) Nizar AsaadAl-Asad b) Assad c) Asad

Justification: Leading Syrian businessperson with close ties to the regime. Cousin of Bashar Al-Assad, and associated with the Assad and Makhlouf families. As such, has been participating in, benefitting from or otherwise supporting the Syrian regime. Leading oil investor and previously head of the ‘Nizar Oilfield Supplies’ company. Relation: Cousin of Bashar Al-Assad (SSID 200-11614) Modifications: Amended on 6 Nov 2013, 19 Jan 2016, 12 Jun 2018, 13 Aug 2019, 1 Oct 2019

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

SECO amends 40 Ukraine sanctions listings

News

01 October 2019 

International sanction

Updated sanction message

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF has published an amendment to Annex 3 of the Ordinance of 27 August 2014 on measures to prevent the circumvention of international sanctions in relation to the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72).

On 27 September 2019, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. On 1 October 2019, the WBF adapted the Swiss sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and published the adaptation on its website . The change will take effect on 1 October 2019 at 18.00.

Financial Intermediaries are requested to immediately block the relevant assets and to report such business relationships to SECO in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation. Notification to SECO does not release a financial intermediary from immediately reporting to the Money Laundering Reporting Office pursuant to Art. 9 of the Money Laundering Act. 

My math may be off, but it looked like 21 individuals and 19 entities were updated.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updated – PDF, XML