In its indictment of a collector accused of helping the militant group, U.S. prosecutors presented evidence of how easily art sales can be used to evade sanctions and launder money.
In its indictment of a collector accused of helping the militant group, U.S. prosecutors presented evidence of how easily art sales can be used to evade sanctions and launder money. The indictment cited relatives and associates of Mr. Ahmad who it said had helped him buy art in violation of sanctions and often dealt directly with the artists or galleries. Among these was Mr.
Ahmad’s daughter, Hind Ahmad, who ran the now-shuttered Artual Gallery and Four You Gallery in Lebanon.
Mr. Ahmad, who was born into a wealthy family of diamond traders, remains at large outside the United States, the authorities have said. The State Department has put out a offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about him and his financial network. The video shows a man it identifies as Mr. Ahmad firing a shoulder-launched rocket, in what the government presents as evidence of his connections to Hezbollah.
in 2018 showed the walls of his penthouse there lined with paintings and sculptures; U.S. officials said his collection was worth tens of millions of dollars and included works by Picasso and Warhol. Mr. Ahmad, who has an extensive art collection, has denied that he has used it to launder money or to benefit Hezbollah.
September 1, 2023 Published by The New York Times.
