(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- The US has sanctioned three Lebanese nationals for financing and money laundering tens of millions of dollars for Hezbollah.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against two prominent Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)-based money launderers and their affiliated companies, including those that have generated tens of millions of dollars for Hezbollah, its financiers, and their malign activities, the Department of Treasury said in a press release on Friday.
It pointed out that these designations underscore the extent to which Hezbollah and its affiliates engage in illicit economic activity that prioritizes the terrorist group's own economic interests over those of the Lebanese people.
It stated that the United States supports the Lebanese people's demand to end corruption and the terrorist financing that thrives in corrupt environments.
"Hezbollah continues to use seemingly legitimate businesses as front companies to raise and launder funds in countries like the DRC where it can use bribery and political connections to secure unfair market access and evade taxes," said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
He vowed that the US government would continue to take action against Hezbollah financiers like Nazem Said Ahmad and Saleh Assi, who have used money laundering and tax evasion schemes to fund terrorist plots and finance their own lavish lifestyles as the Lebanese people suffer.
"Art and luxury goods dealers should be on alert to the schemes of money launderers who hide personal funds in high-value assets in an attempt to mitigate the effects of U.S. sanctions," said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich. (end)
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