The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos and Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, freezing their UK-based assets as part of a crackdown on international corruption. The Labour government described the measures as the first step in fulfilling its promise to strengthen anti-corruption sanctions following the July elections.
Foreign Secretary: Sanctions Will Fight ‘Dirty Money’
“These unscrupulous individuals selfishly deprive their fellow citizens of much-needed funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure—for their own enrichment,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement.
Dos Santos Faces Allegations of Embezzling Millions
Dos Santos, Africa’s first female billionaire and the daughter of Angola’s former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, is accused of embezzling at least £350 million ($440 million) during her time at state oil firm Sonangol and telecom company Unitel. The UK government said her actions deprived Angolan citizens of critical resources.
The Angolan businesswoman has denied the allegations, calling them a “political vendetta” and plans to appeal the sanctions. “I was not given the opportunity to defend myself against these allegations,” she said in a statement.
Firtash Sanctioned for Alleged Embezzlement and Corruption
Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, wanted by both Ukrainian and US authorities, is accused of embezzling nearly $500 million related to Ukraine’s gas transit system. The UK government said he had laundered tens of millions of pounds through the UK property market, including using his wife, Lada Firtash, as a proxy for assets.
Firtash, currently in Austria fighting extradition to the US, has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.
UK Also Targets Latvian Politician and Family
Latvian businessman and politician Aivars Lembergs, accused of bribery and money laundering, and his daughter Liga Lemberga were also sanctioned. The UK government said Lembergs had exploited his political power for personal enrichment.
Government Promises Further Action
Foreign Secretary Lammy signaled that the sanctions are only the beginning of the UK’s campaign against kleptocrats. “I committed to taking on kleptocrats and the dirty money that empowers them when I became foreign secretary, and these sanctions mark the first step in delivering this ambition,” he said.
Global Effort Against Corruption Intensifies
The sanctions align with broader international actions. Dos Santos has been sanctioned by the US since 2021 for corruption, while Firtash has faced asset freezes and license withdrawals under a 2021 decree from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.