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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| As sanctions bit, Iranian executives bought African passports |
| 2018-07-02 |
| [ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] In January, the Comoros Islands quietly cancelled a batch of its passports that foreigners had bought in recent years. The tiny nation off the east coast of Africa published no details of its reasons, saying only that the documents had been improperly issued. But a confidential list of the passport recipients, reviewed by Rooters, indicates the move meant more than the government let on. Rooters found that more than 100 of 155 people who had their Comoros passports cancelled in January were Iranians. They included senior executives of companies working in shipping, oil and gas, and foreign currency and precious metals - all sectors that have been targeted by international sanctions on Iran. Some had bought more than one Comoros passport. Diplomats and security sources in the Comoros and the West are concerned that some Iranians acquired the passports to protect their interests as sanctions crimped Iran’s ability to conduct international business. While none of the people or companies involved faced sanctions, the restrictions on Iran could still make a second passport helpful. Comoros passports offer visa-free travel in parts of the Middle and Far East and could be used by Iranians to open accounts in foreign banks and register companies abroad. |
| Posted by:Fred |