Safian Khan

📣 UK NCA Forfeits £780,000 in Landmark Sanctions Case Against Petr Aven On July 29, 2024, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) secured the forfeiture of £783,827.34 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, marking the first UK forfeiture of sanctioned funds. 💷 The money, linked to Petr Aven, a former head of Russia's largest commercial bank, had been frozen since 2022 due to sanctions. Aven's estate manager, Stephen Gater, breached sanctions by attempting to relocate funds and making transactions, including paying household staff salaries and selling a Bentley. 🤝🏻 The agreement was ratified at Westminster Magistrates Court. The NCA's Combatting Kleptocracy Cell led this complex investigation, demonstrating their commitment to enforcing sanctions. Original source 👉: https://lnkd.in/eZZRYMcb #UKsanctions #sanctionsupdate #sanctionscompliance #NCA #Sanctions #Forfeiture #PetrAven #FinancialCrime #AssetRecovery

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How can UK political parties better communicate the effects of different security policy positions? With elections on the horizon & evolving security dynamics pulling policymakers in different directions, we spoke to two experts to hear their insights: https://lnkd.in/d-nyug6w

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A UN monitoring group has revealed shocking details about the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The report identifies Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as the largest terrorist organization in the country, with an estimated strength of 6,000–6,500 fighters. The TTP enjoys operational and logistical support from both the Afghan Taliban and factions of Al Qaeda.The TTP continues to conduct significant operations in Afghanistan and is actively recruiting Afghan nationals for terrorist activities in Pakistan. The group’s attacks against Pakistan have surged, with incidents increasing from 573 in 2021 to 1,210 in 2023, with the trend continuing into 2024 Read more at…https://lnkd.in/dkE42vtz #TerrorThreatInAfghanistan #TTPPresenceRevealed #AlQaedaSupportToTTP #AfghanistanSecurityConcerns #TerrorRecruitmentSurge

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🔹 A Strategic Roadmap for Türkiye’s Defense Industry🔹 It has been a unique experience to be part of this comprehensive project aimed at defining the strategic direction of Türkiye’s defense industry. In collaboration with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research, our team conducted in-depth analyses on which defense solutions Türkiye should prioritize in line with its foreign policy goals. Our project presents innovative recommendations that emphasize the importance of international partnerships while setting strategic priorities to enhance Türkiye’s defense capabilities. I am proud to have contributed to a study that not only supports our country's quest for independence but also reinforces regional security. Being involved in such projects has deepened my understanding of the critical role the defense industry plays in national security. Contributing to decisions that shape the future of Türkiye and providing solutions that align with our national interests has been a significant step in my career journey. Arda Mevlütoğlu Caglar Kurc Serhat Guvenc https://lnkd.in/diY5aqBF #DefenseIndustry #Türkiye #StrategicAnalysis #ForwardThinkingSolutions #InternationalRelations #DefenseStrategy

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The upcoming local elections on 2 May 2024 are set to be a major predictor for later national contests. Covering everything from district to metropolitan levels, as well as the crucial Police and Crime Commissioner and combined authority elections, these elections mark a critical juncture for UK politics. Stay informed with our latest report: https://bit.ly/3W1dwXG #UKElection #2024UKElection #LocalElection

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Turkiye’s defence industry has undergone dramatic changes over the last 50 years and the country has become a significant defence exporter. As part of a joint project, the IISS and the Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research explore the process and the issues that lie ahead. Read the latest research report: https://lnkd.in/eQNYHnek Authors: Sıtkı Egeli, Serhat Güvenç, Çağlar Kurç and Arda Mevlütoğlu #Turkey #Defence #Military

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🚨 From the arrests of individuals with suspected ties to the Islamic State to warnings from FBI Director Wray, it's clear vigilance is key. Insights from our latest Security & Resilience Update: https://lnkd.in/eVW_zv6k #WaterSecurity #TerroristThreat

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11 Oct 06:40: BBC News: UK-linked firms suspected of busting Russia sanctions: 11 Oct 2024, 01:09: Jack Fenwick: Political reporter: Me: ‘2.5 years into Putin’s latest invasion, the UK government wakes up and STARTS to police sanctions, and talk of fines! PRISON SENTENCES FOR TREASON - a few big name examples in the dock - will stop this profiteering treasonous rot, please. What am I missing? Other weak countries to follow, please. The USA companies providing chips for Russia’s missiles - as high as 80% of chips content, I read - might just be a good place to also start’: The UK government 🇬🇧 is investigating 37 UK-linked businesses for potentially breaking Russian oil sanctions - but no fines have been handed out so far, the BBC can reveal: Please read on:

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Despite gradual improvements, Central Africa continued to have the lowest resilience levels in Africa and the world in 2023. Find out more in our Africa Organised Crime Index > https://ow.ly/3TZW50UjKTn #OCIndex

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Striking deals with third countries to increase border surveillance and arrests will not prevent channel deaths. Arrested leaders of smugglers will only be replaced with new ones, and people - mostly people of colour from countries affected by British Colonial rule- will continue to die in the Channel.    Only the creation of safe routes for people seeking asylum can reduce this racial injustice.    It’s time for safe routes, not more hostile border policies. It’s time to see racial justice in action and respect people’s right to claim asylum.  

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Maritime Security Bulletin and Geopolitical Update   Re: Hamas Has Killed (1) Israeli Soldier and Wounded (2)Others in a Gunfight in Southern Gaza. Issued by: Sanborn Analytics   Contact: [email protected] | Phone: (+1) (617) 539-6114   Media Credit: Israel Times (see link)   Date: October 14th, 2024 --- Subject: Fatal Incident in Southern Gaza Strip Involving Israeli IDF Forces On October 14th, 2024, Israeli Defense Force soldier Sgt. Koren Bitan, aged 19, was killed during active operations in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israeli Military has confirmed. Sgt. Bitan was engaged in a gunfight with Hamas operatives when the fatal incident occurred. In addition to Sgt. Bitan's death, two other IDF soldiers were wounded during the same exchange of fire. Sgt. Bitan was a member of Battalion 450, which is part of the Bislamach Brigade, also known as the School for Infantry Corps Professions and Squad Commanders. Prior to joining Battalion 450, Bitan had begun his service in the Kfir Brigade, a unit known for its role in counterterrorism and security operations within the West Bank. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region, particularly as the conflict with Hamas in Gaza continues to impact both military personnel and civilian populations. For the maritime shipping community and naval forces operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, the risk of regional destabilization due to escalating conflict remains a critical factor. Sanborn Analytics advises heightened awareness of any naval or commercial operations near the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas, as spillover effects from the ground conflict may pose risks to maritime traffic and operational safety. The ongoing military actions, combined with potential retaliatory or terrorist activities, could disrupt shipping lanes or impact port access in adjacent waters. Recommendations: - Maintain communication with relevant military and port authorities when operating near the Eastern Mediterranean region. - Monitor for updates regarding potential military operations or escalations that may affect maritime routes. - Exercise caution and adhere to established safety protocols to mitigate the risk of collateral impact from ongoing military engagements. Sanborn Analytics issues this maritime security bulletin and advisory to inform the maritime shipping community and armed naval forces at sea. ---  #maritimesecurity #gaza #israel #hamas #israelhamaswar #palestine #iran #nationalsecurity #hoemlandsecurity #lebanon #hezbollah #beruit https://lnkd.in/eRFMaHvG

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Investigation #CASE - Taliban Global Revenues Money Laundering Yearly revenues of over 25 million per business unit. With hundreds of active units globally. --- #Investigation #Intelligence #Taliban #revenues #Moneylaundering #Hezbollah #business --- [..] Significance Of One In-House Controlled Business Unit To indicate the significance of one in-house controlled destination in Europe, consider one business week derived from the bookkeeping and customs documents: One packet of white heroin cost 1.000 and was sold for 80.000. An imported shipment of iPhones, iPad, and Blackberrys was valued at 200.000 and sold for 550.000. With yearly revenues over 25.000.000 per unit, and hundreds of active units globally, the 240.000 operational costs of a business unit are negligible. Follow The "Fixed Values" After cost, the balance is invested in a mix of "fixed value" transnational services. In this case Satellite Bandwidth minutes, prepaid credits for mobile and IP services. Both are considered anonymous until ownership is registered to harmless end users. In the ungoverned but liquid global market, the minutes and credits are cleared as B2B financial derivatives, also by Taliban-friendly or controlled telecom providers. Revenues Do Not Return To The AfPak Region The mainstream is transferred to Taliban-controlled companies* in The Gulf (Qatar) with unrestricted access to the international infrastructure and a focus on the communications and finance industry. Secondary streams of transfers are tracked to MENA, West Africa, central Africa, east Africa, and niche areas in Asia. High Stakes, Maximum Security Even though their multinational business* format operates with the lowest probability of detection, a seemingly insignificant indication of a possible detection by local authorities resulted in immediate action. - November 2014 While stakeholders instantly leave abroad, it is not uncommon that houses and commercial premises are set on fire and potential witnesses are killed. [..] ---

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#NEWS| Interesting twist as Inspector General of Police orders protection for protesters Despite initial reports of requesting the personal details of protest organisers, the IGP issued a directive to the police to protect protesters. Read more | https://lnkd.in/ec4Z25dd #theradarng #NewsUpdate #LatestUpdates #protest #police #viral #Nigeria #government

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It’s a busy week for our Partner and Head of Business Crime & Regulatory, John Hartley who, alongside jetting off to the Annual Transnational Crime Conference in Milan, has also been featured in both The Express and MSN 👏 John explores the recent case around Chinese banks who have been fearing US economic sanctions for dealing with Russia, discussing whether this could be the beginning of a declining relationship with Russia. Read the full article here👇 https://lnkd.in/ejJuhaS2

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The 11th edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), published in March 2024, provides insights into terrorism trends since 2012. This comprehensive report, which I monitor closely as a security consultant, revealed a 22% increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2023, reaching 8,352 fatalities. However, this figure remains 23% lower than the peak in 2015, highlighting the ongoing but uneven progress in combatting terrorism globally. The number of incidents has decreased by 22%, with attacks becoming fewer yet more lethal, indicating a concentration in terrorist activities. Notably, Pakistan recorded the highest number of attacks, while Burkina Faso was identified as the most affected country by terrorism, a first for the nation, overtaking Afghanistan and Iraq. The report underscores the deadliest attack of the year by Hamas on October 7, which significantly impacted global terrorism statistics. Significant improvements were noted in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a substantial reduction in both the incidence and fatalities due to terrorism. This aligns with the broader trend where violent conflict remains the primary driver of terrorism. Ensuring peace and harmony within a country is foundational to creating a society free from terrorism, as evidenced by the direct correlation between reduced conflict and decreased terrorism activities. As an adjunct lecturer, this report is a timely update for the first lesson on global trends in terrorism in the Specialist Diploma in Security Consultancy at Temasek Polytechnic which I facilitated yesterday evening. It provides a critical backdrop for understanding the complex dynamics of terrorism and the importance of peace and stability in mitigating such threats. Download the report here https://lnkd.in/gU2WtyWF For those tracking terrorism trends in Singapore, the Internal Security Department has annually released the Singapore Terrorist Threat Assessment Report in mid-year since 2021.

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In this final report produced as part of a joint project with the IISS, experts from the Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research outline a broad range of foreign-policy approaches that Turkiye could pursue, the impact each would have on the country’s defence industry, and which equipment areas they think the country should prioritise. Read the latest research paper by Sıtkı Egeli, Serhat Guvenc, Arda Mevlutoglu and Caglar Kurc, produced as part of a joint project between the Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research and the IISS, supported by CATS Network. ➡ https://lnkd.in/eMnwiEru

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Last week, we launched the Executive Summary of our upcoming report, ‘Still Waiting: the Afghans Abandoned by the UK.’ The resettlement schemes introduced by the UK government in the wake of the Taliban takeover are plagued by delays and inconsistent decision-making. The schemes have strict evidence and biometric requirements, which many Afghans struggle to obtain. As a result, Afghans are left facing life-threatening danger. The Taliban has imposed increasingly severe restrictions on society, particularly targeting the rights of women and girls. Many Afghans are also stranded in Pakistan and Iran due to the issues accessing safe routes to the UK. Increasing hostility from the authorities in these countries has made this situation even more urgent. The UK government needs to take urgent action to address these issues, and improve accessibility to the resettlement schemes. You can read APBI’s recommendations and the Executive Summary here: https://buff.ly/3YFdM02 Photos Credit: ©Kayhan

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In the last five years, the UK has seen a notable decline in foreign aid and a redirection of funds toward domestic priorities. Despite being key to Britain’s strategic and economic interests, the Middle East has not been a priority region for British overseas development assistance. In addition to weakening commercial and diplomatic relations in the Middle East, a downturn in development aid has negatively impacted British credibility in the region, pushing the countries in this area to focus on other international partners. Managing Partner Zaid M. Belbagi writes about the importance of foreign aid as a tool for the UK's soft power in the Middle East. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e6N4ARcG

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