Further Mutual Legal Assistance Requests From The United States Of America
The Government of Gibraltar has confirmed that the Gibraltar Central Authority for matters relating to International Mutual Legal Assistance received a Supplemental Mutual Legal Assistance request from the US on 16th August 2019 providing further information in support of its application for the restraint of the departure from Gibraltar of the Grace 1 and its cargo of oil, in anticipation of forfeiture proceedings to be commenced in the United States.
A statement from the Government follows below:
The Gibraltar Central Authority is unable seek an Order of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar to provide the restraining assistance required by the United States of America.
The Central Authority's inability to seek the Orders requested is a result of the operation of European Union law and the differences in the sanctions regimes applicable to Iran in the EU and the US.
The EU sanctions regime against Iran – which is applicable in Gibraltar - is much narrower than that applicable in the US.
The Gibraltar Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance enjoys a close working relationship with the equivalent authorities around the globe, in particular with the authorities of the United Kingdom, the Member States of the European Union and the United States.
