Ukraine Regime

1. COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/259 of 23 February 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

On 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU decided to amend Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 and insert Article 6b concerning the possibility of a derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2 by the competent authorities of a Member State to release of certain frozen funds or economic resources belonging to the entities listed under entry numbers 53, 54 and 55 in Annex I. For further detail please kindly consult the attached document.

2. COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/260 of 23 February 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

On 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU decided to amend Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 to designate 22 persons and four entities under the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures. For further detail please consult the attached document.

3. COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/261 of 23 February 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

On 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU decided to amend Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 to designate 336 members of the State Duma due to their vote in favour of a resolution to ask President Vladimir Putin to recognise the separatist-claimed parts of eastern Ukraine as independent states. For further detail please consult the attached document.

4. COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/262 of 23 February 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine

On 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU decided to adopt Decision (CFSP) 2022/264 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP and imposing further restrictive measures prohibiting the financing of Russia, its government and its Central Bank. For further detail please consult the attached document.

5. COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/263 of 23 February 2022 concerning restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those area

On 23 February 2022, in response to the signing by the President of the Russian Federation of a decree recognising the ‘independence and sovereignty’ of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and ordering Russian armed forces into those areas, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/266. Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 imposes restrictions on goods originating in the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and on the provision, directly or indirectly, of financing or financial assistance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, related to the import of such goods, with the exception of goods having been granted a certificate of origin by the Government of Ukraine. In addition, Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 restricts trade in goods and technology for use in certain sectors in the nongovernment controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine, and prohibits services in the sectors of transport, telecommunications, energy or the prospecting, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources, as well as services related to tourism activities in the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine.

For further detail please consult the linked document.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board urges all subject persons to keep alert and adhere to obligations outlined in the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mfea@gov.mt on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

Myanmar/Burma Regime

The Council on 21 February 2022 decided to adopt a fourth round of sanctions in view of the continuing grave situation and of intensifying human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma, following the military coup in the country on 1 February 2021, and has decided to add twenty-two persons and four entities in this regard.

Further information can be found here.

Ukraine Regime

The Council on 21 February 2022 decided to adopt restrictive measures, within the existing sanctions framework, and add five more individuals for actively supporting actions and implementing policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Further information can be found here.

ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida Regime

The Council on 21 February 2022 decided to add two groups and two individuals linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIL/Da’esh operating in Afghanistan and the neighbouring region to the EU sanctions regime.

Further information can be found here.

Syria Regime

The Council on 21 February 2022 decided to add five persons to the list of persons and entities subject to targeted EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.

Further information can be found here.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons. 

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mfea@gov.mt on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

MFSA Warning - NSBroker - Clone Websites

Info found here.

MFSA Notice - CFReserve - Unlicensed Entity

Info found here.

The MFSA would like to remind consumers of financial services not to enter into any financial services transaction unless they have ascertained that the entity with whom the transaction is being made is authorised to provide such services by the MFSA or another reputable financial services regulator. A list of entities licensed by the MFSA can be viewed on the official website of the MFSA here.

The following has been published in the Official Journal of the EU:

Libya Regime

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/183 of 10 February 2022 implementing Article 21(5) of Regulation (EU) 2016/44 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya and Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2022/189 of 10 February 2022 implementing Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya.

The Council of the European Union 10 February 2022 decided to amend Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/44 by replacing entry 15 and amended Annexes I and III to Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 by replacing entry 15 accordingly.

More info can be found here and here.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mfea@gov.mt on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

The following have been published in the Official Journal of the EU:

Tunisia Regime

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/113 of 27 January 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 101/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Tunisia and Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/118 of 27 January 2022 amending Decision 2011/72/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Tunisia.

More information can be found here and here.

On 28 January 2022 the Council of the European Union decided that on the basis of a review, the information in Annex I to that Regulation regarding the statements of reasons should be amended for three persons, and the information relating to the application of the rights of defence and right to effective judicial protection under Tunisian law should be amended for seven persons. Accordingly Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 101/2011 has been amended. Please kindly refer to the above links for further information.

ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Regime

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/117 of 27 January 2022 amending for the 328th time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida organisations.

Further information can be found here.

On 24 January 2022, the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council decided to remove one entry from the list of persons, groups and entities to whom the freezing of funds and economic resources should apply. Accordingly, Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 has been amended.

The following update has been published in the Press Release of the UNSC:

Resolution 1970 (2011)

Resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya 

On 28 January 2022, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya enacted the amendments, specified with strikethrough and underline, in the link above on its Sanctions List of individuals and entities. For further information please kindly consult the above link.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law (without the need of any further legislation or notification) under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mftp@gov.mt on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

The following have been published in the press release issued by the UNSC:

Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

For further information please click here.

On 24 January 2022, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities removed one entry from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaida Sanctions List after concluding its consideration of the delisting request for this name submitted through the Office of the Ombudsperson established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and of the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this delisting request. For further information kindly consult the above link.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law (without the need of any further legislation or notification) under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mftp@gov.mt on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/84 of 19 January 2022 amending for the 327th time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida organisations.

Further to the removal of three entities by the UNSC from the list of persons, groups and entities to whom the freezing of funds and economic resources should apply under Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), the Council of the European Union on 21 January 2022 decided amend Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 accordingly.

For further information please click here.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law (without the need of any further legislation or notification) under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons. 

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mftp@gov.mt  on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

UNSC Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015)

Concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

On 17 January 2022, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities removed three entries from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaida Sanctions List. Therefore, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2368 (2017), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, no longer apply to the names set out here.

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law (without the need of any further legislation or notification) under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted here for any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

Russia Regime

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/52 of 13 January 2022 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine

On 14 January 2022 the Council of the European Union decided to renew the restrictive measures in place for a further six months. Read more here. 

Please be reminded that all EU/UN sanctions are directly applicable under Maltese law (without the need of any further legislation or notification) under the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act, cap 365 of the Laws of Malta as linked here.

Should any of your clients be a person or entity who is listed under UN/EU or national sanctions or who is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a listed person or entity, the freezing measures mentioned under article 17 of the Act apply.

The Sanctions Monitoring Board is to be informed immediately of the actions that have been taken in relation to the assets of such listed persons. 

The Sanctions Monitoring Board may be contacted on sanctions.mftp@gov.mt  on any issue relating to sanctions.

Please find below links to the:

EU Financial Sanctions Database

Consolidated UN Sanctions List

EU Sanctions Map

Sanctions Monitoring Board

The Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA” or “the Authority”) has become aware of an entity operating under the name of Kintaro Capital Investment which has an internet presence at https://kintarocapitalinvestment.com/. This website is making unauthorised use of details belonging to an MFSA licensed company, Kintaro Capital SICAV p.l.c (SV 500). Fraudsters are using the details of this genuine company in an attempt to deceive the public.

The MFSA wishes to alert the public, in Malta and abroad, that Kintaro Capital Investment is NOT a Maltese registered Company NOR licensed or otherwise authorised by the MFSA to provide any financial services which are required to be licensed or otherwise authorised under Maltese law. Additionally, the Authority confirms that Kintaro Capital Investment has NO association with the Maltese registered company Kintaro Capital SICAV p.l.c (SV 500).

The website  https://kintarocapitalinvestment.com/ therefore appears to be a clone of the legitimate entity and the public should therefore refrain from undertaking any business or transaction with the false entity.