33 arrests in action against globally active money laundering network

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
33 arrests in action against globally active money laundering network

The Hague, 31 May 2023

Judicial and law enforcement authorities in Italy and Spain have carried out a coordinated action against an organised crime group suspected of large-scale money laundering. During a joint action day supported by Eurojust and Europol, thirty-one suspects were arrested in Italy. Another two European Arrest Warrants were executed in Spain, with one person being arrested and a second person notified, as he currently serves a jail term.

The alleged members of the organised crime group built up a global network to launder proceeds from drug trafficking. By using this system, criminals were able to conceal the origin of these illegally acquired funds and avoid their detection. The network was active in several countries worldwide, including China, Türkiye and the United States.

The group made use of a money laundering service known as the ‘Black Market Peros Exchange’, in which payment for drugs of South American origin was processed via an elaborate trading scheme across several countries. Profits from the sale of the drugs in Europe were picked up by brokers and transferred to electronics companies, which in turn ordered specific goods, such as mobile phones. These goods were shipped to the United States before being transported to Colombia, where they were sold. This final step enabled the South American cartels to receive cash as a veiled payment for the drugs they had provided to European markets.

The elaborated scheme was unravelled during an international investigation led by the Italian Public Prosecutor Office of Trento and Guardia di Finanza – Economic and Financial Investigation Unit of Trento, and supported by Eurojust and Europol. In Italy alone, EUR 18.5 million could be traced back as money laundered for organised crime groups.

Eurojust assisted the investigations by organising three coordination meetings. The Italian representative at Eurojust worked in synergy with the Trento Public Prosecutor’s Office, coordinating and linking investigative activities with other European public prosecutors, to obtain data of the crypto chat Sky ECC and EncroChat, used by people under investigation to exchange messages related to cash withdrawals (so-called ‘money pick up’). The action day against the organised crime group was steered in real time from the Agency’s dedicated coordination centre.

Europol supported the case by providing intelligence, expertise and operational analysis, as well as financial support for operational meetings. During the action day, Europol deployed a money laundering specialist to the coordination centre hosted by Eurojust.

The following authorities took part in the investigation:

  • Italy: Trento Public Prosecutor’s Office, Guardia di Finanza, Nucleo Polizia Economico-Finanziaria di Trento
  • Spain: Policía Nacional

Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov introduced to the Bundestag

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov introduced to the Bundestag

Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov introduced to the Bundestag

Wednesday, 24 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in Germany, Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov was welcomed for a tête-à-tête by the Speaker of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Bärbel Bas, a top politician from the Social Democratic Party. Speaker Bas is in office since 26 October 2021, and joined the Bundestag back in 2009. 

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important component of an embassy’s mission in a given foreign country. Germany maintains a bilateral parliamentary system, with a Bundestag elected directly by the electorate as well as one upper chamber representing the German federal states, or Länder. Whereas Kazakhstan is home to a bicameral legislature, namely a lower house (i.e., the Mazhilis), with 107 seats, (98 seats are from party lists, 9 hailing from the Assembly of People, a representation of the various ethnic groups of Kazakhstan) which are elected to five-year terms. The upper house is the Senate, which has 47 members.

Dr. Onzhanov is head of mission in Germany since 18 July 2022 upon his presentations of credentials before Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Ambassador Onzhanov (b. 25 November 1960) began his career at Almaty Pedagogical Institute for Foreign Languages in 1983. He has been posted throughout his career in Austria, Switzerland or in Frankfurt am Main serving as Consul General. He is rather well-acquainted to Germany having served already a term as ambassador in the country between 2008 and 2014 with a concurrency to the Kingdom of Denmark. 
Before arriving in Berlin, Onzhanov was Head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan between 2019 and 2022. He holds extensive experience working within the presidential administration. 


Ambassador Onzhanov speaks fluent Kazakh, German, Russian and English. 

For further information 


Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan: http://www.parlam.kz/en/mazhilis

Embassy of Kazakhstan in Germany: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-berlin/about/structure/people/26558?lang=en

Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi met with Bundestag’s President Bas

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi met with Bundestag’s President Bas

Wednesday, 24 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: The Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador in Germany, Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi was welcomed for a tête-à-tête by the President of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Bärbel Bas, a top politician from the Social Democratic Party. President Bas is in office since 26 October 2021, and joined the Bundestag back in 2009.

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important component of an embassy’s mission in a given foreign country. Germany maintains a bilateral parliamentary system, with a Bundestag elected directly by the electorate as well as one upper chamber representing the German federal states, or Bundesländer.

Whereas Oman is also home to a bicameral legislature, namely a lower house, or Consultative Council (مجلس الشورى) with 84 seats as well as a 83-heads strong State Council (مجلس الدولة), the upper house; fully appointed by His Majesty The Sultan of Oman. Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Maawali serves incumbently as the Chairman of the Consultative Council. 

For further information 
Consultative Council of Oman: https://www.shura.om

CA-EU meets in Ashgabat in support for Afghanistan

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
CA-EU meets in Ashgabat in support for Afghanistan

Friday, 26 May 2023, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: The fourth meeting of the EU and Central Asia Special Representatives and Special Envoys for Afghanistan was held in the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The forum was attended by special representatives and special envoys of the EU, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for Afghanistan and the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan R.Otunbayeva, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, the Consuls General of Turkmenistan in Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. The directors of the World Bank branches in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have also participated via videoconference.

During the meeting, a detailed exchange of views took place on priority issues of regional security and development, as well as problems related to the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan.

It was noted that meetings of special representatives in this format have become regular and serve as a positive platform for developing approaches to ensuring peace and security in Afghanistan.

The current meeting provided an opportunity for an in-depth exchange of information on events and the economic situation in Afghanistan, as well as an opportunity to discuss further cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The parties expressed their firm commitment to turning Afghanistan into a stable, peaceful and prosperous country and recognized the efforts of the international community to continue to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the prospects for economic stabilization and recovery of Afghanistan were discussed, the importance of creating favorable conditions for economic activity, the financial and banking sector and the restoration of the socio-economic infrastructure in Afghanistan was noted.

The participants of the meeting stressed the need to continue dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the “Central Asia – European Union” format and expressed a common opinion that in order to stabilize the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, a broad consolidation of the international community is necessary – the states of the world, primarily the Central Asian region, as well as authoritative international structures.

Interest was also expressed in close cooperation to implement of joint projects related to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the integration of the country into the system of global relations.

As a result of the meeting, a Joint Statement was adopted.

For further information 

Turkmen Foreign Ministry: https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/3453

Melanie Huml welcomed by Jan Jambon in Brussels

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Melanie Huml welcomed by Jan Jambon in Brussels

Thursday, 25 May 2023, Brussels, Flanders, Kingdom of Belgium: Premier Jan Jambon received Bavaria’s State Minister for European and International Affairs, Melanie Huml, at his official residence. Inter alia, they discussed the future cooperation between Flanders and Bavaria and the Leaders Meeting, which Premier Jambon is organising in April 2024 to promote exchange between the thirteen strong innovative regions, which includes Bavaria.

Jan Jambon stressed that he sees the upcoming EU presidency of Belgium (January-June 2024) as a platform to portray Flanders is a state-of-the-art region with an active EU policy. To this end, he is organising the Leaders Meeting, “Fit for the Future: Global Challenges and Regional Solutions” on 18 April 2024. At this meeting, thirteen strong innovative regions – including Bavaria, Catalonia, and North Rhine-Westphalia – will highlight their best practices and innovative ideas to increase resilience to future shocks. Thus, they will send a signal to the European Union that the main levers for tackling global challenges are in the hands of the regions, while reaching out to each other for further cooperation with a view to better EU policies.

Both dignitaries likewise discussed closer future cooperation between Flanders and Bavaria in robotics and automation, hydrogen economy, inland navigation, and MedTech.

Premier Jan Jambon previously reinforced his ‘Strategy for the North’ with a working visit to Bavaria in 2021, when he opened a Flemish Science & Technology Office in Munich.

For further information 


Flanders Chancellery & Foreign Office: https://www.fdfa.be/en/minister-president-jan-jambon-receives-bavarian-minister-melanie-huml

UKRAINE: 110 damaged religious sites inspected and documented by UNESCO

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
UKRAINE: 110 damaged religious sites inspected and documented by UNESCO

By Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers

As of 17 May 2023, UNESCO has verified damage to 256 sites since 24 February 2022 – 110 religious sites, 22 museums, 92 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, 1 Archive. 

Report of the Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom (January 2023)

As a result of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, at least 494 religious buildings, theological institutions, and sacred places were wholly destroyed, damaged, or looted by the Russian military, according to the Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom (IRF). 

IRF presented this last updated data on the impact of the war on Ukrainian religious communities on January 31 and February 1 during the Summit on International Religious Freedom (IRF Summit 2023) held in Washington, D.C.

Most churches, mosques, and synagogues were destroyed in Donetsk region (at least 120) and Luhansk region (more than 70). The scale of destruction is also enormous in Kyiv region (70), where desperate battles were fought in defense of the capital, and in Kharkiv region – more than 50 destroyed religious buildings. Russian air raids, including those using Iranian drones, have affected almost all regions of Ukraine and continue to this day.

Churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate) suffered the most from Russian aggression – at least 143 were destroyed. 

The scale of destruction of evangelical church prayer houses is immense – at least 170 in total, of which most affected were Evangelical Christian churches – 75, Evangelical Baptist Christian prayer houses – 49, and Seventh-day Adventist churches – 24.

The updated IRF data also contains information on the destruction of the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses – a total of 94 religious buildings, of which seven were utterly destroyed, 17 were severely damaged, and 70 were insignificantly damaged. 

UNESCO’s policy

UNESCO is conducting a preliminary damage assessment for cultural properties* by cross-checking the reported incidents with multiple credible sources. These published data which are regularly updated do not commit the Organization. UNESCO is also developing, with its partner organizations, a mechanism for independent coordinated assessment of data in Ukraine, including satellite image analysis, in line with provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

*The term “cultural property” refers to immovable cultural property as defined under Article 1 of the 1954 Hague Convention, irrespective of its origin, ownership or status of registration in the national inventory, and facilities and monuments dedicated to culture, including memorials.

The Organization is in contact with Ukrainian authorities to mark cultural sites and monuments with the distinctive “Blue Shield” emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict to avoid deliberate or accidental damages.

Properties inscribed on World Heritage list, such as the site of “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, are considered a priority. 

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

The first challenge is to mark cultural heritage sites and monuments and recall their special status as protected areas under international law.

To date, no UNESCO World Heritage site appears to have been damaged.

UNESCO also assisted the Ukrainian authorities in marking cultural sites with the distinctive blue shield emblem. This symbol indicates that the property is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention. Therefore, any infringement is considered a violation of international law and can be prosecuted. It should also be noted that none of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites have been affected to date.

Laying the foundations for future reconstruction

By recording and documenting the damage and destruction of cultural sites, UNESCO not only warns of the seriousness of the situation, but also prepares for future reconstruction. Although it is still too early to start work, the UN organization has already created a fund dedicated to actions in support of Ukraine and has launched an appeal for contributions to its Member States for a rapid response.

List of damaged religious and cultural sites per region as of 17 May 2023 (See the details of the list below HERE)

  • Donetsk Region: 71 damaged sites
  • Kharkiv Region: 55 damaged sites
  • Kyiv Region: 38 damaged sites
  • Luhansk Region: 32 damaged sites
  • Chernihiv Region: 17 damaged sites
  • Sumy Region: 12 damaged sites
  • Zaporizhia Region: 11 damaged sites
  • Mykolaiv Region: 7 damaged sites
  • Kherson Region: 4 damaged sites
  • Zhytomyr Region: 3 damaged sites
  • Vinnytsia Ragion: 2 damaged sites
  • Dnipropetrovk Region: 1 damaged site
  • Odesa Region: 1 damaged site

Previous assessments and some UNESCO declarations 

On 23 June 2022, according to the checks carried out by UNESCO’s experts, 152 cultural sites had been partially or totally destroyed as a result of the fighting, including 70 religious buildings, 30 historical buildings, 18 cultural centres, 15 monuments, 12 museums and seven libraries.

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

“These repeated attacks on Ukrainian cultural sites must stop. Cultural heritage, in all its forms, should not be targeted under any circumstances. I reiterate my call for the respect of international humanitarian law, in particular the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.”

On 8 March 2022, UNESCO published a statement saying it was in permanent contact with all relevant institutions, as well as with Ukrainian cultural professionals, to assess the situation and to reinforce the protection of cultural properties. 

UNESCO provided technical advice to cultural professionals in the field to protect buildings. Inventory works and shelters were identified to secure objects that could be moved, and fire-fighting measures were reinforced.

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

We must safeguard the cultural heritage in Ukraine, as a testimony of the past but also as a catalyst for peace and cohesion for the future, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve.

Lorenzo Ravano received by Bundestag Speaker

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Lorenzo Ravano received by Bundestag Speaker

Wednesday, 24 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: Monaco’s Princely Ambassador in Germany, Lorenzo Ravano was welcomed for a tête-à-tête by the Speaker of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Bärbel Bas, a top politician from the Social Democratic Party. Speaker Bas is in office since 26 October 2021.

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important component of an embassy’s mission in a given foreign country. Germany maintains a bilateral parliamentary system, with a Bundestag elected directly by the electorate as well as one upper chamber representing the German federal states, or Länder.

Whereas Monaco is home to but a unilateral National Council (Conseil nationale) with 24 seats, currently presided over by Speaker Brigitte Boccone-Pagès. 

For further information 
Monaco’s National Council: https://www.conseil-national.mc

Hong Kyun Kim paid visit to NRW Legislature

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Hong Kyun Kim paid visit to NRW Legislature

Friday, 5 May 2023, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia: The Speaker of NRW State Legislature, André Kuper, received the Korean Ambassador Hong Kyun Kim for his inaugural visit to Düsseldorf, the state capital. Kim was accompanied by Consul General Seungjae Huh and Dr. Jo Myunghee, Member of the Korean National Assembly. This year, the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany are celebrating the 140th anniversary of their friendship.

The Republic of Korea is one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important partners in Asia. North Rhine-Westphalia is the only state to have maintained a representative office in Seoul since 1988. Around 60 South Korean companies are based in the Rhine and Ruhr regions. In addition, around 10,000 people from South Korea live in North Rhine-Westphalia. Numerous North Rhine-Westphalian companies have locations in South Korea. And in 1963, the Federal Republic and Korea concluded a recruitment agreement for guest workers for, among other things, the coal industry in North Rhine-Westphalia.

André Kuper said as per statement linked below in its native German version: “I welcome Ambassador Hong Kyun Kim not only as a representative of an important trading partner, but also as a supporter in the fight for democracy, freedom and human rights. We always keep an eye on the security situation on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, we share with the Republic of Korea the experience of a divided country. Many Korean families live in North Rhine-Westphalia. As the state parliament, we wish that many young people from our countries meet in exchange programmes and deepen relations with each other”.

Hong Kyun Kim has been ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Berlin since 24 October 2022. The 62-year-old has already worked in the diplomatic service since 1984 in various positions. He was also special envoy for peace and security issues on the Korean peninsula.

In the exchange with the Speaker of the State Legislature, André Kuper, the focus was not only on the relations between the two countries, but also on the topics of sustainability, climate protection and peace.

After signing the guestbook, the delegation from South Korea exchanged views with members of the Committee for Europe and International Affairs. One topic of discussion was the 60th anniversary of the Recruitment Agreement.pa and International Affairs. 

For further information 

State Legislature of North Rhine-Westphalia: https://www.landtag.nrw.de/home/aktuelles/meldungen-und-berichte/meldungen-berichte-und-informati/meldungen-und-berichte/2023/05/0505botschafterkorea.ht

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Germany: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/de-de/index.do

Inaugural visit of Mexican ambassador in Magdeburg

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Inaugural visit of Mexican ambassador in Magdeburg

Monday, 3 April 2023, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt: Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff received the Ambassador of the United Mexican States, H.E. Francisco Jose Quiroga Fernandez, for his official inaugural visit to the State Chancellery in Magdeburg.

During their talks, they exchanged views on current economic developments and discussed the expansion of bilateral relations between Mexico and Saxony-Anhalt, particularly with regard to opportunities for cooperation in the recruitment of skilled workers and in culture.

In November 2021, the state of Saxony-Anhalt had returned to Mexico, among other things, cultural artefacts that had been discovered on a property in Klötze in the Altmark region. The 13 artefacts in total (figurines, vase, plates as well as partial pieces), two of which were handed over to the Mexican authorities, date from around 250 to 850 AD and were probably sold by looted excavators. At the end of March 2023, the pieces from Saxony-Anhalt were presented with other returns from Germany at the Mexican Embassy in Germany. The artefacts from Saxony-Anhalt will be shown together with pieces returned from Germany, France and Italy in a special exhibition in the museum of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City.

In the cultural field, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and the Saxony-Anhalt Art Foundation have also been able to realise projects with Mexican institutions and partners in recent years. These included the purchase of a sculpture by the Mexican artist Alica Paz for the Magdeburg Museum of Art – Convent of Our Lady, which was supported by the Art Foundation.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has also shown a slight increase recently. Exports from Saxony-Anhalt to Mexico amounted to a value of around EUR 203.1 million in 2022. Compared to the previous year 2021, this was an increase of around 1.65%. In the ranking of Saxony-Anhalt’s export countries, Mexico thus ranked 21st in 2022.

For further information 


Government of Saxony-Anhalt: https://europa.sachsen-anhalt.de/internationales/aktuelles-international/antrittsbesuch-des-botschafters-der-vereinigten-mexikanischen-staaten

Exclusive Saree Pageant: Bangladesh House Entertains Ambassadors’ Spouse Association

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Exclusive Saree Pageant: Bangladesh House Entertains Ambassadors’ Spouse Association

By Roy Lie Atjam

Mrs. Sazia Ahmed, the wife of the Ambassador of Bangladesh, on 22 May 2023 opened the doors of Bangladesh House to host a festive gathering for her fellow members of the Ambassadors’ Spouse Association (ASA). The entrance hall of the residence was draped in different styles of sarees. The highlight of the event was a saree pageant as well as a presentation of elements of the rich Bangladeshi culture to the ASA members and by extension to the Diplomatic Community in the Netherlands.

Members of the Ambassadors’ Spouse Association (ASA) during Bangladesh saree exhibition at Bangladesh House.

The gathering also featured an exhibition of different sarees which were taken from Sazia Ahmed’s collection, so that guests had the opportunity to touch the sarees on display.

Models proudly showed off different styles of sarees, including an example of a bridal saree as well as New Year’s outfits.

Mrs. Sazia, herself a saree wearer, eloquently explained the weaving process, the different fabric textures, combinations, the different ways of wearing a saree, the different occasions where they can be worn, as well as details of traditional Jamdani, Maslin, Tangail Tant, Mirpur Katan, Mirpur Benarashi, Rajshahi Silk, and Katha Stitch.

Mrs. Sazia mentioned that UNESCO recognized Bangladeshi Jamdani weaving as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Sazia Ahmed, during her speech.

Guests enjoyed the convivial atmosphere and Bengali hospitality, as well as the delicious cuisine which was served on the lawns of Bangladesh House.

All in all, it had been an informative, well-attended event and no doubt pleasurable Bangladeshi day that was enjoyed by everyone.

Bangladesh saree exhibition – lunch at Bangladesh residence’s garden.
1...136137138...896Page 137 of 896