UK Weekly Sanctions Update - Week of February 3, 2025

In this weekly update, we summarise the most notable updates in the UK sanctions world. If you have any questions in respect of any of the developments set out below, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our London Global and Government Trade team listed above.

Counter-Terrorism Sanctions

• UK charity director charged for breaching the Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regulations: On February 6, 2025, it was reported that UK prosecutors had charged Aozma Sultana with an offence under the UK Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regulations.  Ms Sultana, who was charged with failing to provide the UK Government with information about her finances, was sanctioned by the UK Government on 27 March 2024 following her suspected involvement in providing financial support to Gaza Now, a news agency that the UK Government considered to promote Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups. The Charity Commission previously announced a statutory inquiry to investigate funds raised for charitable purposes by and on behalf of Ms Sultana. (Fundraiser charged for breaching UK terror sanctions - Global Investigations Review;
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-investigates-fundraising-activity-over-links-to-pro-hamas-media-outlet#:~:text=Aozma%20Sultana%20was%20sanctioned%20by,List'%20as%20a%20designated%20person.)

Other Sanctions

• UK Foreign Affairs Committee holds oral evidence session: On February 4, 2025, the UK Foreign Affairs Committee held a one-off oral evidence session on the UK’s sanctions strategy. The evidence session examined the UK’s sanctions policy and the effectiveness of the UK’s sanctions regime.  Tom Keatinge (RUSI), Maya Lester KC (Brick Court Chambers), and Freya Page (Kharon) each submitted evidence to the committee. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMP8u2Jit84)
• Treasury Select Committee raises questions on HMRC’s role in enforcing trade sanctions: On January 31, 2025, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Dame Meg Hiller, wrote a letter to the chief executive of HMRC, Sir Jim Harra, posing ten questions about HMRC’s role in enforcing trade sanctions.  The questions arose from a previous oral evidence session on the work of OFSI held by the Treasury Select Committee in November 2024.  A response has been requested by February 17, 2025. (https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/46500/documents/236929/default/)