US Charges Two Nationals For Lobbying For Removal Of Sanctions On Zimbabwe

US Federal officials have charged two nationals for illegally lobbying for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and members of his party.

Prince Asiel Ben Israel, 72, and C. Gregory Turner, 71, were accused of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In exchange for those services rendered in 2008 and 2009, the men were to be paid $3.4 million.

According the law:

Executive Order 13391 prohibits U.S. persons, wherever located, or anyone in the United States from engaging in any transactions with any person, entity or organization found to:
1.) be undermining democratic institutions and processes in Zimbabwe;
2.) have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support to these entities;
3.) be or have been an immediate family member of a sanctions target; or

4.) be owned, controlled or acting on behalf of a sanctions target. “

While the sanctions do not ban travel to the nation or prohibit public officials from meeting with “specially designated nationals,” they do prohibit lobbying, public relations and media consulting services for the Zimbabweans.

Violation of the statutory scheme known as the IEEPA is punishable by as long as 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The complaint against Ben Israel and Brown was filed last month.