Podcast Shownotes

Episode Title: From Moscow to Limassol: The Financial Pathways of Russian Migrants

Host: Filip Brokes

Guest: Aron Ouzilevski, journalist, Russia and post-Soviet studies expert, and Fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs

Episode Summary: In this episode, out host Filip Brokes interviews Aron Ouzilevski, a journalist with expertise in Russian studies and post-Soviet affairs. Aron shares insights from his two-year fellowship with the Institute of Current World Affairs, where he focused on Russian wartime immigration following the Ukraine invasion. Based primarily in Tbilisi, Georgia, Aron has reported on the dynamics behind Russian migration to countries like Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, and Cyprus, investigating the factors that motivated these relocations, from political opposition to career preservation amidst sanctions.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introduction to Aron's Fellowship:
   • Background in journalism and Russia studies.
   • Fellowship at the Institute of Current World Affairs focused on Russian wartime immigration.
2. Russian Migration Since 2022:
   • Overview of the three main groups of Russian immigrants since the Ukraine invasion:
     • Political dissidents opposing the war and Putin’s regime.
     • Professionals seeking to avoid career isolation due to sanctions.
     • Men avoiding mobilization after Russia's 2022 draft orders.
3. Cyprus as a Hub for Russian Immigrants:
   • The historical attraction of Cyprus for Russian oligarchs and business elites.
   • Impact of the discontinued "golden passport" scheme.
   • Post-2022 immigration trends, including tech employees from companies like InDrive relocating to Cyprus for stability.
4. Financial Movement and Real Estate Transactions in Cyprus:
   • Aron discusses a complex process Russians use to transfer assets via cryptocurrency, bypassing direct bank transfers due to international sanctions.
   • Example of "Misha," a cryptocurrency money mover who assists clients in transferring rubles from Russia to Cyprus through Telegram.
   • The practice of partial crypto payments for real estate and its implications for financial transparency.
5. Challenges and Observations on European Regulations:
   • Cyprus under scrutiny from the EU for money laundering risks.
   • The persistence of Russian entrepreneurs on the island despite regulatory crackdowns.
6. Future of Russian Exile in Europe:
   • Insights into the adaptability of Russian entrepreneurs facing sanctions.
   • Speculation on future destinations for Russian immigrants facing restrictions in Cyprus.
7. Upcoming Projects:
   • Aron shares that he’s nearing the end of his fellowship, with his final dispatch covering the Russian exile movement in France, a nation historically significant for Russian dissidents.

Related Links:

• https://www.icwa.org/russians-exiles-cyprus/
• https://www.icwa.org/current-fellows/aron-ouzilevski/

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Integrity Insights Podcast - Show Notes

Episode Title: Countering right-wing extremism with sanctions

Guest: Hans Jacob Schindler, Senior Director at the Counter Extremism Project and former key advisor to the United Nations Security Council.

Episode Overview: In this episode, Filip Brokes sits down with Hans Jacob Schindler, a renowned expert in the field of counter-terrorism and extremism. Hans provides an in-depth analysis of the growing threat of right-wing extremism, its financing mechanisms, and the international response to this rising danger. Drawing from his extensive career, including pivotal roles within the German government and the United Nations, Hans offers a unique perspective on how these extremist groups operate and what can be done to counter them.

Key Topics:

1. The Rise of Right-Wing Extremism:
   • Comparison of right-wing extremism with traditional religious terrorism.
   • The statistical growth and increased threat perception of right-wing extremist activities in Europe and the United States.
2. Financial Streams of Extremism:
   • Exploration of the seven main income streams of right-wing extremist groups, including donations, cryptocurrencies, music, combat sports, events, merchandise, real estate, and organized crime.
   • The role of these income streams in sustaining and expanding extremist networks.
3. Global Designations and Sanctions:
   • Recent designations of far-right groups as terrorist organizations by the U.S. and the European Union.
   • Discussion on why certain groups, such as the Nordic Resistance Movement and The Base, were designated and the implications of these actions.
4. Challenges in Countering Right-Wing Extremism:
   • The difficulties in disrupting right-wing extremist networks compared to Islamist terrorism.
   • The need for enhanced legal and regulatory frameworks to combat this evolving threat.
5. International Collaboration:
   • Insights into Hans’s work with the Counter Extremism Project, advising governments on developing legislation and strategies to combat extremism.
   • The importance of transatlantic cooperation in addressing the global rise of right-wing extremism.

Resources Mentioned:

• Counter Extremism Project (CEP): www.counterextremism.com
• Publications by CEP Germany: Accessible under the "Publications" section on the CEP website.
• Reports by Alexander Ritzmann: Search for his name to find detailed analyses on right-wing extremism financing.

Quotes:

• "Right-wing extremism is now considered a terrorism threat with much stronger transnational connectivity than it had about a decade ago."
• "The German government has now written a strategy where they say, this is about the financing and we will use all available means to disrupt these networks."

Call to Action: Stay informed and engaged in the fight against extremism by subscribing to the Integrity Insights Podcast. Don't miss this crucial conversation with Hans Jacob Schindler, available now on all major platforms.

Hashtags: #IntegrityInsights #Podcast #CounterTerrorism #RightWingExtremism #FinancialCrime #Sanctions #HansJacobSchindler #GlobalSecurity

This episode provides essential insights into the challenges of combating right-wing extremism in today’s world. Make sure to tune in and stay ahead of the curve in understanding this critical

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In this episode, I spoke to Nick Raudenski, a seasoned investigator whose career journey spans both law enforcement and sports. We sat down to discuss the EU's new AML regulation labelling professional football clubs as so-called "obliged entities" for AML/CTF purposes.

Nick and I delved into his transition from federal law enforcement to the brave new world of football. He shared the challenges he faced, from understanding the intricacies of sports organizations to tackling significant issues like match-fixing, corruption, and other financial irregularities. Nick provides his unique insights into regulatory frameworks like UEFA’s Financial Fair Play and the upcoming EU AML regulations.

Tune in to learn more about the intersection of sports and financial crime, the regulatory landscape, and the need for specialized knowledge to implement effective compliance programs in football. Nick’s experiences provide a behind-the-scenes look at the critical efforts to preserve the integrity of the world's most popular sport.

For more detailed information on the subject, you can read our article in the June 2024 edition of the ACAMS Magazine accessible under the following link: https://www.acamstoday.org/european-football-clubs-under-afc-regulation/

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In this episode, I spoke to Karen Nershi, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at IE University and a former Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University's Stanford Internet Observatory and the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC).

Karen's research examines questions of international cooperation and regulation within international political economy, including challenges emerging from the adoption of decentralized digital currency and other new technologies.

Karen recently published a research paper titled "Assessing the Political Motivations Behind Ransomware Attacks". Her research led her to the conclusion that "the Russian government maintains an informal cooperative relationship with (ransomware) groups by providing safe harbor from prosecution and receiving plausible deniability for attacks and access to skilled cyber actors".

We spoke about Russia's weaponising of private ransomware groups against Europe and the United States, the sanctions imposed on those groups, general regulation of the cybercrime space, and the role of cryptocurrency and anti-money laundering regulation.

You can also find our recent publication on the subject here: https://www.globalriskaffairs.com/2024/01/when-ransomeware-strikes-navigating-risks-and-regulatory-responses/

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In this episode, I spoke to Henrik Vold, a Norwegian journalist, instructor and a tech enthusiast. Henrik has had a long career in journalism during which he's simultaneously honed his technical skills. His current passion is helping journalists explore the world of artificial intelligence and incorporate it into their work.

He discusses the importance of journalists branching out into technical roles and learning data analysis skills. Henrik also talks about his involvement in creating tailor-made courses for organizations and his efforts to convey AI knowledge to a broader audience.

Throughout the interview, Henrik emphasizes the need for caution when using AI, especially with sensitive data, and stresses the importance of keeping information secure and maintaining a computer security mindset. He discusses the potential applications of AI, its limitations, and how it can serve as a support tool rather than a replacement for human creativity and artistry.

Henrik also shares insights into using AI for various purposes, such as transcribing interviews and generating meeting notes. He talks about iterative prompts to improve the AI's responses and mentions potential concerns about AI-generated content and copyright issues. Lastly, he discusses the evolving role of AI, the importance of news organizations in interpreting information, and how AI may influence the way people consume information in the future.

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In today's episode of Integrity Insights I talk to Verena Horne, a senior consultant at Berlin Risk. We discuss the latest developments in the field of sanctions enforcement in the United States and the European Union. Verena explains why sanctions risk is top of the agenda for many internationally active companies, and talks about how this type of risk can be mitigated with the help of sanctions due diligence.

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In the second episode of Integrity Insights, I talk to Vlada Tkach, a managing partner at Berlin Risk. We discuss the topic of commercialisation of disinformation by private actors in the post-Soviet space. Apart from illuminating the socio-economic reasons behind the development of a private disinformation market in the post-Soviet territory, Vlada provides many useful tips on how to distinguish authentic from inauthentic online content. Given the global nature of such private disinformation campaigns, often referred to as “disinformation as a service” or “disinformation for hire”, this conversation is relevant not just for compliance professionals.

You can also read our article on the subject on Berlin Risk's website https://berlinrisk.com/the-rise-of-disinformation-in-osint/

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In the very first episode of Integrity Insights, I talk to Jennifer Hanley-Giersch, a managing partner at Berlin Risk. We discuss the topic of corporate ownership transparency in the EU. In our roles as investigators, we rely on publicly available company information. In recent months, access to information about actual owners of companies, the so-called "ultimate beneficial owners", has been invalidated by a ruling of the EU Court of Justice. Why did this happen? What does this mean for journalists, NGOs and due diligence investigators? Is the EU still committed to ensuring corporate transparency across the bloc? Find out the answers in this episode!

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