Written by Janelle Vasquez
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The Head of the Office of the Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI) held a virtual meeting with the UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham. There was talk about the anti-corruption sanctions imposed by that country on Congressman Philip Alejus, on April 26 of this year.
“It is a pleasure for me to meet with Attorney General Juan Francisco Sandoval to talk about the work he is doing in Guatemala and learn about his valuable contributions to continuing to support the country,” said Ambassador Nick Whittingham.
On the same date that Alijus was sanctioned, the United Kingdom formally published the Global Sanctions Regulations against corruption in the country. The UK’s global anti-corruption sanctions regime allows the imposition of penalties on those involved in serious corruption cases around the world, and establishes that among the acts condemned are bribery and embezzlement.
The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham, met with Attorney General Juan Francisco Sandoval to discuss recent UK anti-corruption sanctions. https://t.co/ve1lFJ0V2Y
– La Hora newspaper (@ahoragt) May 13, 2021
Under the aforementioned Regulation and the UK Penal and Money Laundering Act 2018, TODOS Vice President has been appointed due to his involvement in major corruption acts. The British government said: “Philip Allius Lorenzana will be prevented from entering the United Kingdom, and citizens and companies of the United Kingdom, wherever they are in the world, will be prohibited from managing the money or economic resources related to it.”
The statement issued on that occasion stated that the punishment targeted individuals and not states. They also stated that the regulations were drawn up jointly with the United States government. For the UK authorities, this sends a clear message to states about the consequences of corruption.
Other measures promoted by the UK Embassy in Guatemala include strengthening bilateral economic ties, climate change and further promoting good governance.
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