U.S. State Department Sanctions on International Anti-Corruption Day

Date: WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department announced numerous sanctions on Monday, coinciding with International Anti-Corruption Day and the eve of Human Rights Day.

The sanctions target individuals from various countries, including:
– Kapila Chandrasena: Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, designated for allegedly accepting a bribe to ensure Sri Lanka purchased Airbus aircraft above market value, along with his immediate family.
– Artan Grubi: Former deputy prime minister of North Macedonia, alongside a judge, Enver Bexheti, for accepting bribes.
– Kevin Kedi: A councilman from the Marshall Islands accused of bribery.
– Fawaz Akhras: UK resident and father of the deposed Syrian president's wife, again designated for providing material support to Bashar al-Assad.
– Udayanga Weeratunga: Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia implicated in a corrupt scheme regarding MiG aircraft procurement.

In 2020, allegations arose against Airbus regarding bribery for aircraft sales to SriLankan Airlines, leading to a probe amidst a previous settlement with regulators. A senior SriLankan Airlines official revealed that local courts had issued arrest orders against Chandrasena and his wife for money laundering.

The State Department also sanctioned nine individuals and 19 entities in connection to a global gold and diamond corruption network based in Zimbabwe. Additionally, Abdul Qader al-Murtadha, head of the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, was designated for involvement in torture, with visa restrictions on seven individuals accused of undermining peace and security in the West Bank.

None of the named individuals were available for immediate comment regarding the sanctions, which include asset freezes and U.S. visa bans.