On November 14, 2022, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation imposed restrictive measures upon 24 additional persons under The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/134). OFSI imposed restrictive measures, including asset freezes, upon several high-ranking officials in Iran, including the Abbas Abdi, the chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (“LEF”) for committing serious human rights violations in the Kurdistan province, including the suppression of protests and the promotion of policies that restrict Iranian civilians’ right to life, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The new designees also include Issa Zarepour, Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, as well as several regional LEF officials, governors, and leaders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”), all accused of violating Iranian citizens’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly or suppressing protests in various locations in Iran. In addition to asset freezes, the restrictive measures prohibit UK individuals and entities from engaging in transactions with listed persons or making funds available to them without an OFSI license.
OFSI Financial Sanction Notice – Iran (Human Rights)