People sanctioned for corruption worldwide

Sanctioned PEOPLE

With the help of their corrupt networks, kleptocrats steal billions from their citizens every year. Countries and jurisdictions impose anti-corruption sanctions against high-level officials and other people suspected of corruption to freeze their assets.

We are documenting the people under these sanctions and analysing sanctions as a tool against corruption.

People sanctioned for corruption worldwide

Sanctioned people

With the help of their corrupt networks, kleptocrats steal billions from their citizens every year. Countries and jurisdictions impose anti-corruption sanctions against high-level officials and other people suspected of corruption to freeze their assets.

We are documenting the people under these sanctions and analysing sanctions as a tool against corruption.

How do anti-corruption sanctions work?

sanctions regimes

This website tracks unilateral measures imposed by jurisdictions in the framework of their foreign policy that apply financial sanctions in response to serious corruption allegations. Concretely, these sanctions freeze the assets of persons accused of the misappropriation of state funds, prohibit any funds from being made available to them and sometimes also ban them from traveling to the sanctioning country via visa bans.

How do anti-corruption sanctions work?

sanctions regimes

This website tracks unilateral measures imposed by jurisdictions in the framework of their foreign policy that apply financial sanctions in response to serious corruption allegations. Concretely, these sanctions freeze the assets of persons accused of the misappropriation of state funds, prohibit any funds from being made available to them and sometimes also ban them from traveling to the sanctioning country via visa bans.

Are anti-corruption sanctions effective as a tool against corruption?

REsources

Our research shows that sanctions can be an effective tool to advance the recovery of assets stolen through corruption. However, sanctions cannot be seen as the ultimate end; they need to be linked to proactive obligations on law enforcement in countries of destination to work towards asset recovery.

We propose several recommendations for governments to maximise the impact of sanctions on successful asset recovery proceedings:

Are anti-corruption sanctions effective as a tool against corruption?

REsources

Our research shows that sanctions can be an effective tool to advance the recovery of assets stolen through corruption. However, sanctions cannot be seen as the ultimate end; they need to be linked to proactive obligations on law enforcement in countries of destination to work towards asset recovery. 

We propose several recommendations for governments to maximise the impact of sanctions on successful asset recovery proceedings:

  • Include asset recovery provisions into anti-corruption sanctions regimes.

  • Develop transparent designation critria and apply sanctions consitently.

  • Use sanctions as part of broader anti-corruption and asset recovery strategies.

  • Work with civil society throughout the process.

Why should the private sector care about sanctions?

guidelines

As well as assisting the countries of origin, where funds were stolen from, businesses have a role and responsibilities to both report and to act when there is a suspicion that they are dealing with people subject to sanctions.

guidelines

Why should the private sector care about sanctions?

As well as assisting the countries of origin, where funds were stolen from, businesses have a role and responsibilities to both report and to act when there is a suspicion that they are dealing with people subject to sanctions.

News

WEBINAR: Opportunities for the confiscation of sanctioned assets.

03/11/2022  In this webinar, we would like to look at the lessons learnt from the past in confiscating sanctioned assets, at how new initiatives can remedy existing challenges, as well as at ways in which countries are already attempting to confiscate Russian and other foreign assets. Read more

EU Sanctions proposals: what do they mean and what to look out for

27/05/2022    The European Commission proposed on Wednesday the development of a Directive on criminal penalties for the violation of Union law on restrictive measures and for new measures to be introduced under their planned Directive on asset recovery and confiscation.  Read more

WEBINAR: From Russian Sanctions to Anti-Corruption Investigations and Asset Recovery

31/05/2022   This online event will explore and discuss the likely challenges ahead and the steps needed to move forward from sanctions to recovery in jurisdictions implementing sanctions with respect to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read more