London, 22 April 2023 – In response to the recent UK sanctioning of five Russians over the imprisonment of opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, CEO of Verify 365 Rudi Kesic has urged law firms to ensure they are undertaking U.K. sanction checks.

“Law firms have a legal obligation to ensure they are not doing business with individuals or entities subject to U.K. sanctions,” Rudi said. “The recent sanctions against the five Russian nationals highlight the importance of conducting proper due diligence and ensuring compliance.”

The sanctioned Russian citizens, including a judge, investigators and officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB), have been banned from entering the United Kingdom and their assets in Britain will be frozen.

The case against Kara-Murza has been widely criticised as politically motivated and his detention has been denounced by Western governments and human rights organisations.

Rudi emphasised the importance of law firms being proactive in their approach to sanctions compliance. “Ensuring compliance with U.K. sanctions is not only a legal requirement, it is also a matter of reputation and ethical responsibility,” he said.

Verify 365 provides global PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons) and sanctions checks, which enable law firms to comply with regulatory requirements and avoid potential legal issues.

With Verify 365’s screening services, law firms can ensure that they are not conducting business with individuals or entities that are on UK sanctions lists. This is crucial in light of the recent UK sanctions on Russian individuals, which highlight the importance of being vigilant about compliance. By using Verify 365’s screening services, law firms can demonstrate their commitment to regulatory compliance and protect themselves from reputational damage.

As the Kremlin continues its crackdown on civil society, it is more important than ever for law firms to be diligent in their efforts to prevent business dealings with individuals or entities subject to U.K. sanctions.