Office of Foreign Assets Control

Cyprus, Russia, United States
Cypriot firm linked to Russian arms deals seeks to evade US sanctions

Sanctioned by the United States because of its ties to the Russian defence industry, VFC Solutions is pleading its case before the American courts. It claims to have severed ties with its former owner, who was close to arms dealer Igor Zimenkov.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh deports French official over alcohol possession

Despite hopes of Westerners working in the Saudi kingdom, the legalisation of alcohol remains largely hypothetical. A French embassy official in Riyadh recently found out the hard way and was sent out of the country.

China, United States
OFAC pressed to rule on case involving dual-use tech export to China

A dispute has arisen between two companies in the semiconductor industry, one American and the other Chinese. Following arbitration in China, the US side of the case is citing national security risks in trade between the two entities.

Thailand
Siam Aero Repair, exporter of aviation parts to Russia, Myanmar and Iran

Russian aviation networks in Bangkok (1/3) – The Thai firm, incorporated into another company at the start of the year and embroiled in legal problems, has made new connections to continue exporting to countries under sanctions.

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
Former Atos exec in the Balkans, Delubac, Burson Middle East, Barbican Advisory

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community.

LondonFormer Atos vice-president connects British tech, Elon Musk and Serbia

ParisDelubac, the ‘complex contracts' bank, launches own magazine

RiyadhSurprise exit at Burson Middle East, Riyadh's favourite comms group

SingaporeFormer Blackpeak director joins Barbican Advisory

Switzerland
Dirty tricks in the oil sector: a fake investigations site and a sham corporate intelligence company

It is a bold choice on the part of an investigations site to link itself clearly to a site claiming to belong to a private investigation company. An oil trader in the Caspian Sea area is currently being targeted by a shadowy Swiss-based investigations site which has done this.

United States
Banco San Juan alleges discrimination against Venezuelan-linked banks

The Puerto Rican Banco San Juan claims that the New York Federal Reserve Bank has unfairly revoked the master accounts of many banks with Venezuelan owners.