By Luc Cohen
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A twin Lebanese-Belgian citizen accused by america of financing Lebanese armed group Hezbollah is anticipated to plead responsible in a legal case charging him with sanctions evasion and money-laundering conspiracies.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn stated in a courtroom submitting on Thursday that attorneys for Mohammad Bazzi informed them he needs to alter his plea. Bazzi, 60, pleaded not responsible final 12 months to 3 felony counts, together with making an attempt to transact with a sanctioned terrorist group.
Bazzi’s attorneys didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The U.S. Treasury Division positioned Bazzi on its sanctions record in 2018 over his alleged ties to Hezbollah, which Washington considers a terrorist group.
Prosecutors stated Bazzi covertly offered actual property he owned in Michigan and transferred the funds overseas, in violation of these sanctions.
Bazzi was extradited to america in April 2023 from Romania, the place he had been arrested two months prior.
Prosecutors and Bazzi’s attorneys collectively requested U.S. District Choose Dora Irizarry to schedule a listening to later this month for Bazzi to alter his plea.
