US imposes sanctions on controversial Belgian businessman for illegal export of "war gold"
The United States has imposed financial sanctions on Alain Goetz and his network of companies. The Belgian businessman is alleged to be involved in the illegal export of gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which could be used to finance various armed groups in the country.
Goetz and a dozen companies in his network sell gold that comes from regions controlled by armed groups involved in conflicts in the Congo, US State Department spokesman Ned Price confirmed in a press release on Thursday. The war gold is the main source of income for the groups in eastern Congo, who are also allegedly guilty of murder, rape and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
"Alain Goetz and his network contributed to the conflict by receiving Congolese gold without questioning its origin," the US Treasury said.
The sanctions will freeze all of Goetz's assets in the US and deny him access to the US financial system. The man had already been found guilty in 2020 of money laundering and fraud in connection with gold trading in Belgium.
©BELGA