UK Investigation Reveals Attempt by Syrian Ruling Family to Evade EU Sanctions

A member of Syria’s ruling family forfeited more than $30 million from her United Kingdom bank account after an investigation by the U.K.’s National Crime Agency revealed the money was the result of an evasion of European Union financial sanctions, according to a May 21 press release. NCA said the money, transferred via 56 “cash deposits” across England, was “consistent with the use of an informal value transfer system which may result in the laundering of criminal cash.” The activity violated EU sanctions designed to “restrict the use and availability of Syrian regime funds,” the press release said.

The sanctions regime targets Bushra al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad, the mother and uncle, respectively, of Aniseh Chawkat, who was receiving the money, NCA said. “Our investigation also gives some insight into the complexity of tackling illicit finance,” Rob MacArthur, a member of NCA’s International Corruption Unit, said in a statement. “Innocuous deposits into UK high street banks can ultimately be derived from wealth accumulated by individuals subject to international sanctions.”