The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned two business associates of a sanctioned al-Qaida financial facilitator. The designations target Mohamad Irshad Mohamad Haris Nizar and Musab Turkmen, who “conducted business activities” to help Ahmed Luqman Talib, the sanctioned facilitator.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned one person and one entity for helping Myanmar’s military purchase weapons. The designations, announced alongside similar measures by the EU (see 2211080006), target Kyaw Min Oo, a Myanmar national and businessman with close ties to the country’s military, and Sky Aviator, his company. OFAC said Kyaw Min Oo has “facilitated arms deals and weapons purchases on behalf” of Myanmar’s military, and has helped arrange visits to Myanmar by high-ranking foreign military officers. Sky Aviator is used to “facilitate upgrades and maintenance” of the country’s military aircraft, OFAC said.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced several North Korea-related sanctions measures this week, including designations against two people involved in illegally importing goods into the country. OFAC also delisted and redesignated the virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash to account for “additional information” and to include an “additional basis” for the mixer’s designation. The agency issued a new frequently asked question to offer compliance guidance for Tornado Cash and updated three existing FAQs.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned four members of the Islamic State Group operating in South Africa for providing technical, financial or material support to the terrorist group. The agency also designated four companies owned or controlled by those individuals. The designations target Nufael Akbar, Yunus Mohamad Akbar, Mohamad Akbar and Umar Akbar along with the companies: MA Gold Traders, Bailey Holdings, Flexoseal Waterproofing Solutions and HJ Bannister Construction. The agency also designated Sultans Construction, Ashiq Jewellers, Ineos Trading and Shaahista Shoes.

The U.S. and Canada designated two Haitian nationals for their connection to illicit narcotics trafficking, the countries said Nov. 4. The two designees are Joseph Lambert, the sitting president of the Haitian Senate who has held political positions in Haiti for 20 years, and Youri Latortue, a former Haitian senator and a longtime politician.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated members of an international oil smuggling network that facilitated oil trades and generated revenue for Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), according to a Nov. 3 OFAC notice.

Akerman LLP added two partners to its ranks, with Matthew Goldstein joining the Washington, D.C.-based Government Affairs and Public Policy practice, and Andrew Dominguez joining the International Litigation and Arbitration practice in Miami, the firm announced.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned eight individuals connected with weapons trafficking in Somalia, according to a Nov. 1 notice. The action targets Islamic State in Somalia and its network of weapons traffickers, their associates, and an affiliated business that have "facilitated weapons transfers to multiple terrorist groups" and follows up on the recent designations of al-Shabaab financial facilitators and weapons smugglers (see 2210170069), OFAC said. These networks operate primarily between Yemen and Somalia and have strong ties to al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and al-Shabaab. OFAC also designated an ISIS supporter in Brazil, who the office says has attempted to serve as a liaison between terrorist groups.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has updated its Frequently Asked Questions to give additional guidance regarding the transport of Russian crude oil prior to the implementation of the oil price cap. FAQ 1094, issued Oct. 31, explains that Russian-origin crude oil loaded onto a vessel for maritime transport prior to Dec. 5 will not be subject to the price cap (also known as the “maritime services policy”) provided that the oil is unloaded at the port of destination prior to 12:01 a.m. EST, Jan. 19, 2023.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week imposed sanctions on 15 Khordad Foundation, an Iranian organization responsible for the bounty on author Salman Rushdie. 15 Khordad Foundation has "committed millions of dollars" toward a bounty on the author since 1989 and has raised the bounty amount several times, most recently to $3.3 million, OFAC said in an Oct. 28 news release. The foundation, along with other Iranian entities, has led to the death and injury of several people associated with Rushdie, including writers, translators and publishers, OFAC said.