UN Sanctions Central African Republic Diamond Trading Firm
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A diamond trading firm in Central African Republic has been placed on a U.N. sanctions list for providing support for armed groups on both sides of the country's deadly conflict through the illicit trade of diamonds, gold and wildlife products.
BADICA and its Belgium-based branch were listed Thursday on the sanctions committee website.
A U.N. panel of experts in October estimated that $24 million worth of diamonds had been smuggled out of the country since May 2013. It said Belgian authorities seized 6,634 carats at BADICA's Belgium branch in May 2014.
The panel has said BADICA's purchases supported former Muslim rebels.
Also sanctioned are militia leader Alfred Yekatom, rebel commander Habib Soussou and militia general and diamond smuggler Oumar Younous for acts including undermining the country's peace and security.
BADICA and its Belgium-based branch were listed Thursday on the sanctions committee website.
A U.N. panel of experts in October estimated that $24 million worth of diamonds had been smuggled out of the country since May 2013. It said Belgian authorities seized 6,634 carats at BADICA's Belgium branch in May 2014.
The panel has said BADICA's purchases supported former Muslim rebels.
Also sanctioned are militia leader Alfred Yekatom, rebel commander Habib Soussou and militia general and diamond smuggler Oumar Younous for acts including undermining the country's peace and security.
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