The US Department of Treasury on Friday designated Hezbollah-affiliated financial facilitator Adnan Ayad, as well as members of an international network of facilitators and companies affiliated with him and with Adel Diab, Ayad’s business partner and fellow financier.
Diab was designated on January 18 of this year.
The Department announced in a statement that “Adnan Ayad, Jihad Adnan Ayad, Ali Adel Diab, and 10 companies are designated under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists, leaders, and officials of terrorist groups, and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, among others.”
The statement continued: “These financial facilitators have helped terrorist Hezbollah obtain funds through networks of companies that disguise themselves as legitimate businesses. The sanctions evasion efforts of those designated today are a stark example of how Hezbollah abuses the international financial system to fund its acts of terrorism and illicit activities.”
The statement further said that “The United States of America is committed to disrupting terrorist Hezbollah’s illicit activity, including attempts to evade sanctions through business networks. Hezbollah’s actions threaten the security, stability, and sovereignty of the Lebanese people.”