Bargain Hunt star jailed over art sales linked to suspected Hezbollah financier
A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for failing to report high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing the militant group Hezbollah.
Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, from Brent, north London, sold around £140,000 worth of artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the Lebanese organisation, a court heard last month.
Ojiri, from Brent, north London, previously pleaded guilty to eight offences under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. He is believed to be the first person to be charged under the specific offence.
The art dealer, who also appeared on the BBC's Antiques Road Trip, was charged with failing to disclose information about transactions in the regulated art market on or before dates between October 2020 and December 2021.
US prosecutors say Mr Ahmad was a 'major Hezbollah financial donor' who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
He is accused of helping to evade terrorism sanctions by using front companies to obtain more than $160 million (£120 million) worth of art and diamond services.
After new money laundering rules brought the art market under HMRC supervision in January 2020, Ojiri reportedly discussed the changes with a colleague, indicating he was aware of the regulations.
The court previously heard that the total value of the artwork sold was around £140,000.
Ojiri was sentenced to two years and six months in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday, with a further year to be spent on licence.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
38 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
My grandmother grew up brushing her teeth with radioactive toothpaste
Yes, I did listen to a bit of radio. Even a spot of Radio 4 comedy. Brave, I know, but I do like policeman turned comedian Alfie Moore's It's a Fair Cop (currently broadcast on Monday nights in the 6.30pm slot). But nothing serious. Nothing with any gravitas. Or nearly nothing. I did stumble on the latest series on Radio 4's The History Podcast. Well, I say, stumble but, actually, I was given a nudge by its producer. Read more I'd rather slept on Joe Dunthorne's current series Half-Life. I think I'd read the words 'Nazi Germany' in the blurb and decided it wasn't for me. How much Nazi Germany do you need, after all? But that really wasn't what Half-Life was about, as the arresting opening line testified: 'My grandmother,' Dunthorne began, 'grew up brushing her teeth with radioactive toothpaste.' Strong opener. Better still was the information that it was his grandmother's father who had made said toothpaste. Half-Life is a family biography that - like all family biographies - weaves into the flow of history. Dunthorne's great grandfather was a Jewish chemist working in a poison gas lab with the Nazis. And that is just the start of it. All episodes are available on BBC Sounds and The Road Through the Mountains, the episode that aired on Radio 4 this week (on Wednesday) was a particularly tough listen. At the heart of it was a telling of the story of the Dersim Massacre in Turkey in 1937 and 1938, when the Turkish government killed thousands of civilians during a Kurdish rebellion; 14,000 is the government figure. Others suggest the death toll was three or four times that number. 'That's why most people say the river was flowing blood,' Dunthorne's guide told him. 'It was not water, it was just blood.' To escape the Nazis, Dunthorne's family had fled to Turkey. His great grandfather may have helped the Turkish government buy chemical weapons from the Germans. Poison gas was then used to kill those who had fled into the mountains. History, Dunthorne is telling us here, leaves a stain on those who come afterwards. In Half-Lifee you can hear it in his voice. Over on 6 Music Tom Robinson was celebrating his 75th birthday on his Now Playing show on Sunday evening. The BBC's present was to take the slot away from him. Mary Anne Hobbs is taking over this weekend. Tom Robinson celebrated his 75th birthday (Image: BBC) Robinson, who has been occupying Sunday night on 6 Music for the last 14 years - in fact he's been a regular on the station for 23 years, all told - drolly opened proceedings by playing Here's Where the Story Ends by The Sundays. What followed was an understandably slightly self-indulgent two hours in which he played quite a few of his own songs - as requested by his listeners - and, for the most part, displayed a commendably stiff upper lip. He did admit that the whole thing was a little bittersweet, though he encouraged his listeners to tune in to Hobbs's show when it started. At least there were plenty of birthday/farewell messages from his fellow 6 Music DJs and the odd musician - Lauren Laverne, Nithin Sawhney, Jason from Sleaford Mods and Peter Gabriel most notably. Tony Blackburn - still going strong at 82 - also offered his congratulations, as did The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan. The latter was presumably prompted by that old social media meme of Robinson dancing around the studio to Tinseltown in the Rain. Understandably. That tune is one of 20th-century Scotland's greatest gifts to the world. I was at best an irregular listener to Now Playing, but rather like the late Annie Nightingale, it was always clear Robinson had built up a real rapport with his audience. We're promised a 'borderless spectrum of music' on the new Mary Anne Hobbs show. That's her USP, of course. But is that what listeners want at teatime on Sunday? Time will tell. Listen Out For: Bill Dare: Comedy Alchemist, Radio 4, Thursday, June 12, 6.30pm Talking of Radio 4 comedy … This tribute programme celebrates the career of the late radio and TV comedy producer Bill Dare, creator of The Mary Whitehouse Experience and Dead Ringers. Dare was killed in a motor accident earlier this year.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Pro-Palestinian activist who avoided prosecution after chanting 'I love the 7th of October' is Islamist refugee granted asylum in Britain
A pro-Palestine activist who avoided prosecution after he chanted 'I love the 7th of October' is a Muslim refugee granted asylum in the UK, it emerged today. Mohammad al-Mail, a 27-year-old Kuwaiti national granted refugee status in the UK in 2017, also shouted 'I like an organisation that starts with H' through a megaphone at an anti-Israel protest in Swiss Cottage, north-west London, last September. Mr Al-Mail was arrested by police after the chants over alleged terrorism offences, but after eight months a decision was taken by the CPS not to charge him. He is said to have avoided prosecution by telling officers that the organisation he claimed to love was actually the Home Office, and not terror group Hamas. This is despite him operating a campaign group which states its aim is to achieve 'Islamic supremity' and which has criticised terror groups such as Al-Qaeda for failing to advance global jihad. Meanwhile at the same rally, a Jewish counter-protester was also arrested for holding a placard mocking deaths during attacks involving explosive pagers in Lebanon. The attack targeted Hezbollah members and leaders, and the placard depicted the leader of the proscribed terror group holding a pager, with the word 'beep' repeated three times. The man was charged over the incident in May, but the case has since been dropped. Earlier this year, Mr Al-Mail appeared to make light of the accusations against him, telling an Arabic language podcast the case 'fell apart', the Telegraph reports. He described his answer to police when asked what he meant by the letter H: 'Immediately, I answered, 'It could be the Home Office', you know, the ministry of the interior. 'I love the ministry of the interior', and so on. 'Truly, as the saying goes, 'The worst calamity is the one that makes you laugh'. The Met referred the case twice to the CPS, but both times it decided not to press charges - reportedly due to the issue of it relying on 'speculation' to infer support for a proscribed terror organisation. During the podcast, Mr Al-Mail told listeners to 'take advantage' of October 7, which saw 1,200 people killed by an Hamas incursion into Israel. The resulting war has resulted in almost 57,000 Gazans being killed, many of whom civilians. 'Not every day is like October 7,' Mr Al-Mail added. 'If an opportunity arises, we must fully exploit it. If you strike, make it hurt.' The refugee's views are reiterated by his campaign group Upper Hand Organization, which lists its 'pillars' as 'rightism' and 'Islamic Supremacy'. The English version of his site reveals the group was founded in 2016 in Kuwait, before being banned. It states: 'The Upper Hand Organization is a global movement dedicated to working with and for Muslims worldwide through all means and fields - committed to channeling resources toward strategic projects to achieve Islamic dominance.' It adds that the group 'operates as an entity that asserts its responsibilities extend beyond national borders, with a revolutionary agenda grounded in Islam.' In November, some two months after the march, Mr Al-Mail told his supporters he would surrender to police over the chants but told his followers to 'continue the path of Jihad', claiming peaceful followers of Islam are 'slaves and dwarves'. He added: 'What is coming to you is terrifying – either our annihilation or yours.' After leaving Kuwait, Mr Al-Mail was convicted of 13 offences including defaming the Emir and sentenced in his absence to 53 years in prison. Claiming asylum, he said these were politically and religiously motivated and was granted allowed to remain in the UK on May 5 2017. He later received a partial pardon. Shadow Policing Minister and Conservative MP Chris Philp told the Telegraph: 'The police must urgently re-investigate the incident with a view to re-arresting the man concerned'. He added: 'I am deeply worried that someone came here, was granted asylum and then abused the UK's generosity by expressing extremist views. This is why our human rights and asylum laws need to be changed.' Lord Walney, the Government's former extremism tsar, said the revelations are 'disturbing and raises serious questions for the Metropolitan Police'. 'The fact officers were apparently unaware of this open source material when they submitted the case to the Crown Prosecution Service suggests an alarming lack of rigour in their initial investigation,' he said. 'In light of this, it is vital that the police reopen the case to ensure national security can be protected.' It is understood the CPS is 'urgently' reviewing the decision not to charge Mr Al-Mail.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tax warning issued to freelancers ahead of shake-up next year
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry warns self-employed workers and freelancers about the pitfalls of ignoring Making Tax Digital changes Making Tax Digital (MTD) has been slow to roll out, but it's nearing the end. And most freelancers and self-employed people have no idea what that means for them. This guide helps you understand what you need to know to avoid huge fines from HMRC. What is Making Tax Digital for income tax? HMRC reporting systems are outdated and unwieldy. Making Tax Digital is supposed to cut through the archaic system to help companies and freelancers manage their taxes more easily and accurately. The scheme has already rolled out for companies and sole traders registered for VAT. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is the next stage in a years-long roll out of the new system. Rather than annual reporting with a deadline nine months after the end of the previous tax year, which is the current Self Assessment system, people will be required to submit quarterly assessments and the final, fifth, full report. The system is supposed to help freelancers and sole traders budget their taxes better. However, it does also add administrative burden to companies and freelance workers – and there is a requirement to use third-party software to submit, too. Who does it impact? By April 2028, all self-employed traders who earn over £20,000 a year will be part of MTD Income Tax. This will be rolled out in stages. For those earning above £50,000 a year, they will need to be registered for and using MTD for April 2026 – the next tax year from the one we're currently in. That means there are only ten months to get everything set up. Those earning £30,000 or above will need to comply by April 2027, and those earning £20,000 will be part of the scheme by April 2028. Landlords: You need to register too If you earn above the threshold amounts for any roll-out year of MTF for Income Tax from property rental income, you will need to register. If your property income is through the Rent a Room scheme, you won't need to register (unless your combined self-employed income also takes you over the threshold). You can ensure the tax-free portion of Rent a Room is managed on your final end of year full tax return. MTD for income tax exemptions There are some situations where you could be exempt from MTD for Income Tax. The first is if you know you will only use simplified expenses . Other exemptions include where HMRC cannot provide a digital service due to remote location, or a person cannot use a digital service due to age, disability, or location (i.e., it is too remote). You also do not need to register if you are under an insolvency procedure or your business is solely run by people of a religious order where electronic communication does not comply with religious beliefs. You may also withdraw from MTD for Income Tax if your business has received under the threshold income for three consecutive years, or your business is in a winding down procedure. Check the details of these and further possible exemptions on the Making Tax Digital Government pages . Self assessment and payments on account You will still need to complete an annual Self Assessment as well as file your quarterly reports. The Self Assessment is more detailed and will enable you to adjust for non-business income and other details. You're not penalised for adjustments between quarterly reports and your final Self Assessment. Payments on Account will still apply, too. This is where, if your tax bill is over £1000 for the year, you will need to pay the full tax bill plus 50% by January 31st, and the remaining 50% in July. PoA is supposed to estimate a regular annual income, so if you have an exceptional year – such as receiving an unusually large contract – you can apply to reduce these payments. However, if you apply to reduce the payment and then do manage to earn similar in the following tax year, interest can be applied on the difference in payments. Penalty points for late filing Late filing will still come with penalties, as with the usual Self Assessment process. However, in the trial years if you signed up to test the system early filing penalties will not apply. There is a new points-based penalty system for MTD Income Tax. You will not pay a fine for the first late filing, but cumulative errors will apply over ongoing tax years. Points will be applied for each late filing of quarterly and final reports, with a maximum fine of £200 for 4 points. The points will only reset when all filings are met to current dates. Points will expire after two years if you do not meet the threshold of 4 points. Penalties for late payments will also be changing under the new system. If you pay within 15 days of the due date, there is no fine. Within 16-30 days inclusive, the fine is 3% of the tax outstanding on the 15th day, and over 30 days the fine is 3% of the tax on the 15th day, plus 3% of the tax on the 30th day, and an extra 10% per annum charge until the payment is made. Interest will also be accrued daily. Standard fines for not maintaining accurate records, or for broken links in compatible software, will result in fines up to £3000. Choosing a third party software One of the rules of MTD for Income Tax is the use of third-party approved software. You can check which software is approved by HMRC here . You will need this software for your records even if you have an accountant filing on your behalf. While you can still keep spreadsheet records for your business, your filing must be done via one of these software platforms. Many business bank accounts now offer free access to integrated approved software, which could reduce the financial burden of your quarterly returns as well as make them faster as the software will have real-time information about your income and expenses. Sign up to free HMRC webinars While not widely advertised, HMRC does have some resources for freelancers and self-employed workers on their website. This includes a section about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, including a recorded webinar or the ability to register for the next live webinar. It is strongly advised that freelancers, sole traders, and self-employed workers register for email updates from HMRC about Making Tax Digital, in case changes are implemented as the scheme rolls out through the trial phase. Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to
