The UK has imposed sanctions on 22 people involved in ‘notorious corruption cases’ in Russia, South Africa and four other nations in the first use of a new tool to fight corrupt activities globally.
Sky News reports that those targeted include 14 individuals allegedly involved in a major tax fraud uncovered by Russian lawyer and whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky; three brothers linked to a corruption case in South Africa; and a Sudanese businessman widely known as “Al Cardinal”.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said he wanted to hold the corrupt to account anywhere on the planet and to stop them from “using the UK as a haven for dirty money”.
“You cannot come here. You cannot hide your money here,” he told parliament.
The foreign secretary said the case of Mr. Magnitsky helped to inspire the new Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime similar to sanctioning powers used by the United States and Canada.
Among other people on the list were brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta and a South African associate called Salim Essa.
The foreign office said: “They were at the heart of a long-running process of corruption in South Africa which caused significant damage to its economy.”
They have all previously denied allegations of corruption.
Another being hit with a travel ban and asset freeze is Sudanese businessman Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein Ali, widely known as Al Cardinal.
The UK said this was “for his involvement in the misappropriation of significant amounts of state assets in one of the poorest countries in the world”.
It added: “This diversion of resources in collusion with South Sudanese elites has contributed to ongoing instability and conflict”.
(With input from Sky News)
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