Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 of 9 October 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 of 9 October 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan

On 09 October 2023 the Council of the European Union adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135, which establishes a framework for targeted restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan. This said Decision provides for a travel ban, the freezing of the funds and economic resources of, and a prohibition on making funds and economic resources available to, certain natural or legal persons, entities or bodies. The persons, entities and bodies subject to those restrictive measures are listed in the Annex to that Decision.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2129 of 9 October 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons

On 09 October 2023 the Council of the European Union reviewed Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 and on the basis of that review decided that the validity of that Decision should be extended until 16 October 2026 and the restrictive measures set out therein should be extended until 16 October 2024

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Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2125 of 9 October 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2127 of 9 October 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua

On 09 October 2023 the Council of the European Union reviewed the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716. On the basis of that review, the Council of the European Union decided that the statement of reasons for six natural persons and one entity should be updated. Moreover, on the basis of a review of Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the restrictive measures set out therein until 15 October 2024

Read more here and here.

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2121 of 9 October 2023 implement Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Iran

On 09 October 2023 the Council of the European Union decided that the entry concerning one entity designated in Annex IX to regulation (EU) No 267/2012 should be updated

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On 05 October 2023, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003) removed one entry from its Sanctions List of individuals and entities.

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Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2081 of 28 September 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1214 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

On 28 September 2023 the Council of the European Union concluded that the restrictive measures referred to in Article 2f of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which are restrictive measures aimed at suspending the broadcasting activities in the Union, or directed at the Union, should apply as of 1 October 2023 in respect of all entities referred to in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2023/1214, which entities are media outlets.

Read more here.

The FIAU would like to inform subject persons about the following publications that have been issued by Europol:

1. The European Financial and Economic Crime Threat Assessment 2023 titled The Other Side of the Coin: An Analysis of Financial and Economic Crime

On the 11th September 2023, Europol published the aforementioned report which analyses current and emerging threats in the sphere of financial and economic crime. It explores the development of threats posed by money laundering, corruption, and criminal finances. These crimes are also examined from an international approach, particularly vis-à-vis serious and organised crime, where criminal networks use financial and economic crime purposely to obscure and benefit from the profits made by such illegal practices.

2. IOCTA 2023 on Cyber-Attacks: The Apex of Crime as a Service

The report in mention explores the developments in cyber-attacks, particularly relating to new methodologies and threats noted by Europol. It also notes the types of criminal structures behind cyber-attacks, and how changes in geopolitics are being exploited by them.
Updated on the 13th September, this report is the first in a series of Spotlight Reports published by Europol as part of the Internet Organised Crime Assessment (IOCTA) 2023, with each report investigating emerging trends in a particular area of cybercrime.

Both reports can be directly accessed hereunder, and are also published on the FIAU’s website here.

Financial & Economic Crime | Cyber-Attacks

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1779 of 15 September 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran

On 15 September 2023 the Council of the European Union decided that four persons and six entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011

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Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1765 of 13 September 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Read more.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1767 of 13 September 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Read more.

On 13 September 2023 the Council of the European Union decided to amend the information concerning 140 individuals and 41 entities in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 and delete the entries for one deceased person, as well as three other persons. Decision 2014/145/CFSP should be renewed for a further six months.

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) notified that it has recently sent out two important “Dear CEO” letters: one addressed to Funds and Fund Managers, and the other to Insurance and Investment firms.

These two letters highlight and address the EU Commission's proposal on the Retail Investment Strategy Package, which has far-reaching implications for the financial industry. The aim of the new regulatory requirements proposed in this package is to strengthen retail investment protection, address shortcomings in various stages of retail clients’ investment journey, and empower retail clients sufficiently to make more informed investment decisions that align better with their needs and objectives.

All “Dear CEO” letters published by MFSA may be accessed here.