The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Qais al-Khazali, Laith al-Khazali, and Husayn Falih ‘Aziz al-Lami pursuant to Executive Order 13818 for their involvement in serious human rights abuse in Iraq. OFAC also designated Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi for bribing government officials and engaging in corruption at the expense of the Iraqi people.
According to OFAC, Qais al-Khazali, Laith al-Khazali, and Husayn Falih ‘Aziz al-Lami are leaders of the Iran-backed Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia in Iraq responsible for the deaths of dozens of innocent civilians during the late 2019 protests in many Iraqi cities. Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi is an Iraqi businessman and millionaire whose influence has been due to his willingness and ability to pay bribes to Iraqi political figures.
As a result of the designations, all US property belonging to the four men is blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from dealing with the property or property interests of blocked or designated persons.