The UK has placed sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman accused of decades of gold smuggling operations, freezing his assets along with those of family members. Pattni, implicated in one of Kenya's largest corruption scandals known as the Goldenberg affair, reportedly cost the nation around $600 million. Despite his denial of involvement in the illegal gold trade, allegations persist, particularly in relation to activities in Zimbabwe.
UK Imposes Sanctions on Kenyan Businessman Linked to Gold Smuggling
UK Imposes Sanctions on Kenyan Businessman Linked to Gold Smuggling
The UK and US governments have taken action against a prominent businessman accused of participating in the illicit gold trade in Africa.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office released a statement decrying the illicit gold trade, describing it as detrimental to legitimate markets, fostering corruption, and violating human rights, including child labor. Notably, the UK pointed out the intersection of illegal gold with international politics, highlighting how Russia allegedly capitalizes on it to finance its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The sanctions aim to disrupt Pattni's operations, which reportedly extend across various nations.
In the 1990s, Pattni was a pivotal figure in the infamous Goldenberg scandal believed to have involved high-ranking officials in Kenya's government. Although he was charged in a trial that eventually collapsed, allegations of his collusion in similar fraudulent schemes have continued to surface. Furthermore, connections between Pattni and former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe have led to claims of his exploitation of Zimbabwe's natural wealth, enriching a corrupt network while depriving citizens of their rightful benefits.
The US Treasury has labeled Pattni's network as one that illegally spans multiple nations, emphasizing the global implications of his actions. These newly imposed sanctions coincide with the UK’s broader strategy to combat global corruption in response to the growing calls for accountability in the international gold market.
In the 1990s, Pattni was a pivotal figure in the infamous Goldenberg scandal believed to have involved high-ranking officials in Kenya's government. Although he was charged in a trial that eventually collapsed, allegations of his collusion in similar fraudulent schemes have continued to surface. Furthermore, connections between Pattni and former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe have led to claims of his exploitation of Zimbabwe's natural wealth, enriching a corrupt network while depriving citizens of their rightful benefits.
The US Treasury has labeled Pattni's network as one that illegally spans multiple nations, emphasizing the global implications of his actions. These newly imposed sanctions coincide with the UK’s broader strategy to combat global corruption in response to the growing calls for accountability in the international gold market.
