A former Bargain Hunt art expert has been jailed for two years and six monthsfor failing to declare art he sold to a suspected financier of Hezbollah. In the first prosecution of its kind, Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, admitted eight counts under the Terrorism Act 2000 of failing to make a disclosure during the course of businessbefore his sentencing at the Old Bailey on Friday. Hezbollah is a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Ojiri had been aware the art he had sold was to Nazem Ahmad, who had been sanctioned in 2019 by the US authorities. "These offences are so severe that only a custodial sentence can be justified," she said. The judge said: "You knew about Ahmad's suspected involvement in financing terrorism and the way the art market can be exploited by people like him." "Your hard work, talent and charisma has brought you a great deal of success... you knew you should not have been dealing with that man," she told the court. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubbsaid there was no evidence Ojiri supported any form of extremism but that his conduct undermined the detection of terrorist financing. Gavin Irwin, representing Ojiri, said the art expert's "humiliation is complete" with the star losing "his good name" and the "work he loves." "He'd like to apologise for undermining trust" in the art market, Mr Irwin said, adding Ojiri had been naïve. Profiting from an individual who funds terrorism is an extremely serious matter, said Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. "Raising money for terrorism is a core part of how terrorist groups are then able to cause harm around the world," he added. Ojiri's motivation appeared "to be financial along with a broader desire to boost his gallery's reputation within the art market by dealing with such a well-known collector," said Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division. "This prosecution is believed to be the first of its kind, and the CPS will not hesitate to bring criminal charges against individuals who flout the law in this way." So how did an art expert, famous for appearing on UK daytime television get mixed up in funding Hezbollah? Financial investigators working in a specialised counter-terrorism unit at Scotland Yard had been tracking a series of suspicious transactions between the Middle East and London. Working with HMRC and colleagues in the Metropolitan Police's art and antiques unit, they focused on nine payments made in 2020 and 2021 by a man called Nazem Ahmad. He was sanctioned in 2019 by US authorities because he is believed to be a top donor to Lebanon-based Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim political and military group, which is backed by Iran and banned as a terrorist organisation by the US and UK. Hezbollah used Ahmad, who has joint Lebanese-Belgian nationality, "to launder substantial amounts of money bound for the terrorist group", according to the US Treasury department. It claims Ahmad has longstanding ties with the illegal trade in "blood diamonds", a reference to how diamonds are sometimes used to fund armed conflict and insurgencies. US authorities are offering a $10m reward for information about Ahmad, who is thought to still be in Lebanon. Authorities in the US claim Ahmad, 60, who has a vast art collection worth millions of pounds, opened an art gallery in his home city Beirut as a front to launder money. Transactions uncovered by UK police showed that Ahmad paid nearly £140,000 for works, which he had shipped from London to Dubai and Beirut. He bought them from Ojiri, including a £20,000 painting by Icelandic artist Baldur Helgason. Ojiri founded Ramp Gallery, now known as the Ojiri Gallery, based in east London. He came to public prominence with appearances in the BBC series Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, before hitting the big time on Bargain Hunt, in 2019. He has also appeared on Channel 5's Storage: Flog the Lot! In 2021, he joined Antiques Road Trip where he scoured antique shops for treasures, competing to make the most money at auction and always wearing one of his trademark hats. By this time, he had made several secret sales of art to the Hezbollah financier. Although he was careful to keep Ahmad's name off the paperwork, officers in the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit tracked the money to Ojiri and, in April 2023, police arrested him. On the same day the Treasury sanctioned Ahmad and banned him from travelling to the UK. The US authorities also charged Ahmad with defrauding the US and foreign governments, money laundering and sanctions evasion, claiming companies connected to him had been engaged in more than $400m worth of financial transactions between 2020 and 2022. As part of the American case, the Met police arrested a man living in Hayes, west London, for extradition to the US. Sundar Nagarajan is now awaiting trial in New York, accused of acting as Ahmad's accountant and advisor. At first, Ochuko Ojiri refused to answer police questions, but in a prepared statement he said he had no reason to believe Ahmad was a terrorist and money launderer. But evidence seized from his phone showed he had researched who Ahmad was and knew he had been sanctioned by the US. A colleague had even messaged to warn him against doing business with Ahmad. His arrest came after people working in the art market were brought into the regulated sector in 2019, meaning they were bound by anti-money laundering and terrorist financing measures to report suspicious transactions or face prosecution. Presented with such damning evidence, Ojiri said he was sorry for what he had done and told police he had wanted to grow his business. He denied being motivated by greed and said it was the kudos of dealing with a name in the collecting world. Ahmad's Instagram account had 200,000 followers at that time and he was seen as a social media influencer in the art world. Ojiri was charged under a section of the Terrorism Act 2000 that has never been used before. Police hope it will send a clear message to those doing business in the art world. "You will need to make sure you are doing your due diligence," Cdr Murphy said. Last year, the National Crime Agency issued an amber alert warning that storage facilities for artwork could be used by criminals "seeking a capital asset that can be safely stored, that appreciates in value over time, and that can be liquidated if and when required". It followed the seizure of 23 paintings, worth almost £1m, from a warehouse and an auction house in London. The art, which included work by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, belonged to Ahmad. It will soon be sold off at auction as the proceeds of crime and the money raised will go to the Home Office to be used in the fight against crime.
Bargain Hunt expert jailed for selling art to suspected Hezbollah financier
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Former Bargain Hunt Art Expert Sentenced for Selling to Hezbollah Financier"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Oghenochuko Ojiri, a former art expert known for his appearances on the BBC's Bargain Hunt, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for failing to disclose sales of artwork to Nazem Ahmad, a suspected financier of the terrorist group Hezbollah. This case marks a significant legal precedent as it is the first prosecution under the Terrorism Act 2000 for such a failure in the art market. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb highlighted that Ojiri was fully aware of Ahmad's background, particularly noting that Ahmad had been sanctioned by U.S. authorities in 2019 due to his alleged role in financing terrorism. Although there was no evidence that Ojiri personally supported extremist activities, the judge emphasized that his actions undermined efforts to detect and prevent terrorist financing, warranting a custodial sentence. Ojiri's attorney described his client's humiliation and loss of reputation, asserting that Ojiri acted out of naivety rather than malice, and expressed regret for the breach of trust in the art community.
The investigation into Ojiri's dealings was initiated by financial investigators from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism unit, who uncovered suspicious transactions involving Ahmad, a man believed to launder money for Hezbollah through art sales. Ahmad's art dealings were characterized by significant payments totaling nearly £140,000 for artworks shipped to locations in Dubai and Beirut. Despite attempts to obscure his business with Ahmad, evidence revealed that Ojiri had conducted multiple transactions with the sanctioned individual. Following his arrest in April 2023, Ojiri admitted to having researched Ahmad's background but initially denied any wrongdoing. The case has broader implications for the art market, especially in light of regulations introduced in 2019 requiring art professionals to adhere to anti-money laundering laws. Authorities have signaled their determination to pursue similar cases, indicating that the art sector must be vigilant against financial exploitation by individuals involved in terrorism and organized crime.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the sentencing of Oghenochuko Ojiri, a former art expert from the TV show Bargain Hunt, who has been imprisoned for selling art to a suspected financier of Hezbollah. This case is notable as it marks the first prosecution under the Terrorism Act concerning the art market, raising questions about accountability and the intersection of art and finance in relation to terrorism.
Intent of the Publication
The primary goal of this news piece is to highlight the legal consequences of failing to report transactions that may support terrorist organizations. By presenting a high-profile case, the article aims to reinforce the notion that individuals in the art market have a responsibility to ensure their dealings do not inadvertently fund terrorism. This narrative serves to educate the public about the potential dangers lurking in seemingly innocuous transactions and the importance of due diligence.
Public Perception
The coverage is likely to create a perception of heightened scrutiny in the art world, where the lines between legitimate transactions and those that may support terrorism can be blurred. This case may evoke a sense of distrust among collectors and dealers, prompting them to reevaluate their business practices. The emphasis on the art market being exploited by individuals linked to terrorism highlights the need for vigilance and ethical considerations in all dealings.
Possible Omissions
While the article focuses on Ojiri's actions and their legal repercussions, it may divert attention from broader systemic issues within the art market. The focus on one individual's failings might obscure the need for comprehensive regulations that govern art sales, especially in relation to international sanctions and anti-money laundering measures.
Manipulative Elements
The article does possess elements that could be perceived as manipulative. The language used is designed to evoke a strong emotional response, particularly concerning the implications of funding terrorism. By detailing Ojiri's fall from grace and the consequences he faces, it paints a stark picture of the ramifications of such actions without addressing the complexities of the art market or the potential for systemic failure.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The report appears to be grounded in factual events, including court proceedings and statements from legal authorities. However, the framing of the issue might lead to an incomplete understanding of the art market's challenges. The portrayal of Ojiri as a naïve individual may oversimplify the nuances involved in high-value art transactions.
Broader Implications
This case could signal a shift in how art transactions are monitored, potentially leading to more stringent regulations within the art market. As authorities become increasingly vigilant about financing terrorism, other art dealers may face similar scrutiny, altering their business practices and impacting the overall market dynamics. The story may resonate with communities concerned about terrorism and public safety, thereby garnering support from those advocating for more rigorous oversight.
Relevance to Global Power Dynamics
In the context of global power dynamics, this case underscores the importance of combating terrorism financing and the role that various sectors, including the art market, play in this fight. It connects to ongoing discussions about how different industries can inadvertently support malign actors and the need for international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
AI Influence on the Article
It is possible that AI tools were employed in drafting this article, particularly in structuring the content or generating headlines. However, the narrative appears to be largely human-driven, focusing on a specific incident and its implications. The framing of the article may reflect a calculated effort to highlight the severity of the situation, engaging readers through a compelling narrative.
Overall, the news piece serves not only as a report of a legal case but also as a warning to the art community about the responsibilities they hold in preventing the financing of terrorism.