The British and US governments have imposed sanctions on a British-Kenyan businessman over his alleged involvement in the illicit gold trade.
The assets of Kamlesh Patni and four others including his wife and brother-in-law will be frozen Statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office He reads.
He has been implicated in one of Kenya's biggest corruption scandals, the Goldenberg scandal, which is believed to have cost the country at least $600 million (£470 million). He has since faced allegations of involvement in the illicit gold trade in Zimbabwe, which he previously denied.
The BBC asked him to comment.
“Illicit gold is an assault on the legitimate trade of valuable commodities, fuels corruption, undermines the rule of law, and promotes human rights abuses such as child labour,” the UK statement said.
Russia is said to be using illegal gold to finance its war in Ukraine.
He added: “Russia uses the illicit gold trade to launder money and evade sanctions, thereby strengthening (President Vladimir) Putin's war efforts.”
The United Kingdom and other Western countries Banning the import of Russian gold in 2022 To stop Moscow's ability to finance the war.
The UK said the sanctions were intended to “disrupt and deter” Patni's business dealings.
He is alleged to have been one of the main architects of the Goldenberg Scandal – a major gold and currency scam in the 1990s that nearly bankrupted Kenya and involved senior members of the Kenyan government.
He faced trial in 2006 for his alleged role in the scheme, but the proceedings collapsed. Patney later became a self-proclaimed pastor.
According to the US Treasury Department, Patni was a friend of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and used this relationship to make money by exploiting the country's natural resources.
“This fraudulent scheme deprived the citizens of Zimbabwe of the benefit of these natural resources while enriching corrupt government officials and criminal actors,” the statement read.
Patni was involved in Al Jazeera's sensational investigation into the “gold mafia” in Zimbabwe. He denied any involvement in money laundering or gold smuggling.
The US Treasury Department said Patni's illegal network extends to several countries.
The announcement comes as the UK Government sets out a new program to help tackle global corruption.
