U.S. Department of Justice
**Verbatim
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 13, 2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
NEW YORK- Michael J. Garcia, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michele M. Leonhart, the Acting Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced that international arms dealer Monzer Al Kassar, a/k/a Abu Munawar, a/k/a El Taous, arrived in New York today after being extradited from Spain on federal terrorism charges. Al Kassar was extradited to New York for his participation in a conspiracy to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (the FARC) -- a designated foreign terrorist organization -- to be used to kill Americans in Colombia. Al Kassar’s co-defendants, Tareq Mousa Al Ghazi and Luis Felipe Moreno Godoy, were both previously extradited to New York from Romania to face the same terrorism charges. According to the superseding Indictment filed in Manhattan federal court:
Since the early 1970s, Al Kassar has been a source of weapons and military equipment for armed factions engaged in violent conflicts around the world. Some of these factions have included known terrorist organizations, such as the Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF), the goals of which included attacking United States interests and United States nationals.
To carry out his weapons-trafficking business, Al Kassar developed an international network of criminal associates, including co-defendants Al Ghazi and Moreno Godoy, as well as front companies and bank accounts in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania. Additionally, Al Kassar has engaged in money-laundering transactions in bank accounts throughout the world to disguise the illicit nature of his criminal proceeds.
Between February 2006 and May 2007, Al Kassar agreed to sell to the FARC millions of dollars worth of weapons, including thousands of machine guns, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPGs), and surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs). During a series of recorded telephone calls, e-mails, and in-person meetings, Al Kassar agreed to sell the weapons to two confidential sources working with the DEA (the CSs), who represented that they were acquiring these weapons for the FARC, with the specific understanding that the weapons were to be used to attack United States helicopters in Colombia.
During their consensually-recorded meetings, Al Kassar provided the CSs with, among other things: (1) a schematic of the vessel to be used to transport the weapons; (2) specifications for the SAMs he agreed to sell to the FARC; and (3) bank accounts in Spain and Lebanon that were ultimately used to receive and conceal more than $400,000 sent from DEA undercover accounts that the CSs represented were FARC drug proceeds for the weapons deal. During his meetings with the CSs, Al Kassar reviewed Nicaraguan end-user certificates that he accepted despite knowing that the arms were destined for the FARC in Colombia. Al Kassar also promised to provide the FARC with ton-quantities of C-4 explosives, as well as expert trainers from Lebanon to teach the FARC how to effectively use C-4 and improvised explosive devices (commonly referred to as IEDs). In addition, Al Kassar offered to send a thousand men to fight with the FARC against United States military officers in Colombia.
The Indictment charges Al Kassar with four separate terrorism offenses:
Count One: Conspiracy to kill United States nationals, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332(b);
Count Two: Conspiracy to kill United States officers or employees, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1114 and 1117;
Count Three: Conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332g; and
Count Four: Conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18,
United States Code, Section 2339B.
In addition, Al Kassar is charged in Count Five with money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956.
The superseding Indictment seeks the forfeiture of an estate located in Marbella, Spain, and all funds contained in three separate bank accounts. The forfeitures represent the alleged proceeds obtained from the charged offenses.
Al Kassar is expected to appear later this afternoon in Magistrate court in Manhattan federal court.
If convicted of Counts One through Three, Al Kassar faces a maximum sentence of any term of years or life imprisonment, as well as a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment on Count Three. As part of the extradition process, however, the United States has provided assurances to the government of Spain that it will not seek a life sentence for Al Kassar, but instead will ask for a prison term of years. If convicted of Count Four, Al Kassar faces a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment. Finally, if convicted of Count Five, Al Kassar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment.
The international law enforcement operation that culminated with today’s extradition was the result of cooperation between the DEA, the Spanish National Police, and the Romanian Border Police.
Mr. Garcia praised the investigative efforts of the DEA, the Spanish National Police, and the Romanian Border Police. Mr. Garcia also thanked the United States Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. State Department.
"Monzer Al Kassar intended to provide millions of dollars worth of lethal weapons to a foreign terrorist organization to be used to kill Americans," said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia. "As a result of extraordinary cooperation with our international law enforcement partners, Al Kassar will now face justice for his crimes in a United States courtroom."
"The arrest, extradition and pending criminal prosecution of Monzer Al Kassar before a U.S. Court of justice are a testament to DEA's global alliances and unique investigative skills," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "Al Kassar's days of arming and funding global terrorists are over. Spanish authorities are to be commended for their diligence and perseverance to ensure Al Kassar's extradition to the United States."
Assistant United States Attorneys Boyd M. Johnson III, Leslie C. Brown, and Brendan R. McGuire are in charge of the prosecutions.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
on Saturday, May 5, 2012
BRUSSELS, June 5 (Reuters) - Fifteen European Union states including financial centres Germany and France have been given a final warning for failing to update their rules aimed at choking off finance for terrorist activities, the bloc's executive said.
"If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice," the European Commission said in a statement on Thursday.
EU countries were obliged to introduce an updated version of the bloc's anti-moneylaundering rules by December last year.
The warnings were sent to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia.
The rules apply to the financial sector, lawyers, notaries, accountants, real estate agents, casinos, trusts and company service providers.
The scope also extends to all providers of goods when payments are made in cash over 15,000 euros ($23,140).
Under the rules, a company would have to identify and verify who they are dealing with, report suspicions of moneylaundering or terrorist financing to the public authorities, and ensure personnel are properly trained.
http://www.finance.cz/zpravy/finance/171673-update-1-eu-targets-15-states-over-moneylaundering-rules/
"If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice," the European Commission said in a statement on Thursday.
EU countries were obliged to introduce an updated version of the bloc's anti-moneylaundering rules by December last year.
The warnings were sent to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia.
The rules apply to the financial sector, lawyers, notaries, accountants, real estate agents, casinos, trusts and company service providers.
The scope also extends to all providers of goods when payments are made in cash over 15,000 euros ($23,140).
Under the rules, a company would have to identify and verify who they are dealing with, report suspicions of moneylaundering or terrorist financing to the public authorities, and ensure personnel are properly trained.
http://www.finance.cz/zpravy/finance/171673-update-1-eu-targets-15-states-over-moneylaundering-rules/
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on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
A report from London's financial district says EU member states have failed to properly implement anti-money-laundering rules
by Helena Spongenberg
The European Union's fight against money laundering is being hampered by member states' improper implementation of EU law across the bloc, according to a new report.
EU member states "fell some way short" of creating a consistent anti-money laundering regime across the EU when they implemented the 2001 second money laundering directive (2MLD), concluded the study released on Thursday (21 December) by the City of London Corporation—a local government body for London's financial district.
"An effective anti-money laundering regime, which deters and detects determined criminals without placing unrealistic burdens on honest businesses and their advisors, is essential if we are to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the financial system," said Michael Snyder from the City of London Corporation.
"Within the EU single market, it is also vital that this regime operates in a uniform manner," he added in his statement, explaining that there were major discrepancies in the directive's scope and interpretation across the different EU countries.
The report pointed out that the way member states identified and reported suspicious actions differed from each other, while some countries are too slow to react to fishy money movements making it impossible to take action against them.
It also says that the 2MLD rules on "tipping off" clashes with the EU's own Data Protection Directive giving the customer the right to obtain access about him- or herself.
The directive was meant to be implemented in 2003 for the 15 old EU member states and in 2004 for the 10 new EU countries. But Italy was six months late while, Greece implemented the law two and a half years late.
The City of London analysed in detail how the directive was implemented in six countries - UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and Lithuania.
The report comes as European policy makers and regulators will strive to implement the third money laundering directive in 2007.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/dec2006/gb20061226_956627.htm?chan=globalbiz_europe_more+of+today's+top+stories
by Helena Spongenberg
The European Union's fight against money laundering is being hampered by member states' improper implementation of EU law across the bloc, according to a new report.
EU member states "fell some way short" of creating a consistent anti-money laundering regime across the EU when they implemented the 2001 second money laundering directive (2MLD), concluded the study released on Thursday (21 December) by the City of London Corporation—a local government body for London's financial district.
"An effective anti-money laundering regime, which deters and detects determined criminals without placing unrealistic burdens on honest businesses and their advisors, is essential if we are to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the financial system," said Michael Snyder from the City of London Corporation.
"Within the EU single market, it is also vital that this regime operates in a uniform manner," he added in his statement, explaining that there were major discrepancies in the directive's scope and interpretation across the different EU countries.
The report pointed out that the way member states identified and reported suspicious actions differed from each other, while some countries are too slow to react to fishy money movements making it impossible to take action against them.
It also says that the 2MLD rules on "tipping off" clashes with the EU's own Data Protection Directive giving the customer the right to obtain access about him- or herself.
The directive was meant to be implemented in 2003 for the 15 old EU member states and in 2004 for the 10 new EU countries. But Italy was six months late while, Greece implemented the law two and a half years late.
The City of London analysed in detail how the directive was implemented in six countries - UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and Lithuania.
The report comes as European policy makers and regulators will strive to implement the third money laundering directive in 2007.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/dec2006/gb20061226_956627.htm?chan=globalbiz_europe_more+of+today's+top+stories
on Monday, December 25, 2006
22.12.2006 - 09:22 CET By Helena Spongenberg
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Union's fight against money laundering is being hampered by member states' improper implementation of EU law across the bloc, according to a new report.
EU member states "fell some way short" of creating a consistent anti-money laundering regime across the EU when they implemented the 2001 second money laundering directive (2MLD), concluded the study released on Thursday (21 December) by the City of London Corporation – a local government body for London's financial district.
"An effective anti-money laundering regime, which deters and detects determined criminals without placing unrealistic burdens on honest businesses and their advisors, is essential if we are to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the financial system," said Michael Snyder from the City of London Corporation.
"Within the EU single market, it is also vital that this regime operates in a uniform manner," he added in his statement, explaining that there were major discrepancies in the directive's scope and interpretation across the different EU countries.
The report pointed out that the way member states identified and reported suspicious actions differed from each other, while some countries are too slow to react to fishy money movements making it impossible to take action against them.
It also says that the 2MLD rules on "tipping off" clashes with the EU's own Data Protection Directive giving the customer the right to obtain access about him- or herself.
The directive was meant to be implemented in 2003 for the 15 old EU member states and in 2004 for the 10 new EU countries. But Italy was six months late while, Greece implemented the law two and a half years late.
The City of London analysed in detail how the directive was implemented in six countries - UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and Lithuania.
The report comes as European policy makers and regulators will strive to implement the third money laundering directive in 2007.
http://euobserver.com/9/23166
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Union's fight against money laundering is being hampered by member states' improper implementation of EU law across the bloc, according to a new report.
EU member states "fell some way short" of creating a consistent anti-money laundering regime across the EU when they implemented the 2001 second money laundering directive (2MLD), concluded the study released on Thursday (21 December) by the City of London Corporation – a local government body for London's financial district.
"An effective anti-money laundering regime, which deters and detects determined criminals without placing unrealistic burdens on honest businesses and their advisors, is essential if we are to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the financial system," said Michael Snyder from the City of London Corporation.
"Within the EU single market, it is also vital that this regime operates in a uniform manner," he added in his statement, explaining that there were major discrepancies in the directive's scope and interpretation across the different EU countries.
The report pointed out that the way member states identified and reported suspicious actions differed from each other, while some countries are too slow to react to fishy money movements making it impossible to take action against them.
It also says that the 2MLD rules on "tipping off" clashes with the EU's own Data Protection Directive giving the customer the right to obtain access about him- or herself.
The directive was meant to be implemented in 2003 for the 15 old EU member states and in 2004 for the 10 new EU countries. But Italy was six months late while, Greece implemented the law two and a half years late.
The City of London analysed in detail how the directive was implemented in six countries - UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and Lithuania.
The report comes as European policy makers and regulators will strive to implement the third money laundering directive in 2007.
http://euobserver.com/9/23166
on Thursday, December 21, 2006
Efforts to tackle money laundering across Europe have been hampered by the flawed implementation of a crucial EU directive, a report has said.
The way member states implemented the 2001 directive "fell short" of creating a consistent regime for tackling crime, a City of London report has concluded.
Procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious transactions differed between countries, it said.
Some members took too long to report suspicious deals, ruling out action.
The report was critical of the way in the which the law, which extended the scope of existing regulations to include the proceeds of all serious crime not just drug trafficking, was implemented.
It analysed how the directive, which was supposed to come into force in member states in 2003 and accession countries in 2004, was enacted in six countries - UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and Lithuania.
Two of these - Italy and Greece - failed to implement the directive on schedule while there were major discrepancies in its scope and interpretation across different countries.
These included:
- Different offences are covered by different countries. Greece includes crimes involving the protection of antiquities while Spain excludes bribery.
- Monitoring and enforcement of the directive differs wildly from country to country. Procedures for reporting suspicious transactions differ significantly. Lithuania and Poland require all transactions worth more than 15,000 euros to be reported, irrespective of any suspicions of corruption.
- Reports are made by post in Italy, meaning transactions are likely to be concluded before any action can be taken.
- Reporting of non face-to-face transactions is unclear and inconsistent
One area of recurring concern was the requirement in the law for a wide range of businesses including estate agents, lawyers, accountants and dealers in expensive goods to report any suspicious deals.
Inconsistency
The report found that accountants, for instance, were providing different services in different countries, making it impossible to enforce a consistent reporting standard.
At the same time, claims that some individuals should be exempt on the grounds of professional privilege and human rights law have become the subject of legal challenges in at least three countries.
The City of London said an "effective" anti-money laundering regime was essential to maintaining the integrity of the global financial system.
"Within the EU, it is also vital that this regime operates in an uniform manner," said Michael Snyder, chairman of the body's policy and resources committee.
"This report makes clear that implementation of the directive fell some way short of producing a uniform anti-money laundering regime across the EU."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6200633.stm
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