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<p> </p><p>The UK led the call for the urgent imposition of EU sanctions, imposing
an asset freeze on 22 individuals suspected of misappropriating funds from the Ukrainian
state. <br><br>Those assets which are proven to be the proceeds of corruption through
criminal investigations, and subsequently confiscated, will be returned to Ukraine.<br><br>We
do not release information on the value of assets frozen under financial sanctions
in the UK for reasons of confidentiality, and we do not hold information on the value
of assets frozen overseas. <br><br>It is our policy to work closely with other governments
to assist them to trace and repatriate stolen assets. All appropriate criminal justice
and administrative routes to support the Ukrainians are being explored. The Director
of the Serious Fraud Office has opened a criminal investigation into possible money
laundering arising from suspicions of corruption in Ukraine. The Serious Fraud Office
has obtained a restraint order freezing approximately $23 million of assets in the
UK in connection with this case.</p><p> </p>
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