The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit would not disclose any information following the arrest of the chairman of Pilatus Bank in the United States.

This morning, The Malta Independent sent the following questions to FIAU:

Has the FIAU been contacted by the US authorities with regards to any investigation into the bank? if yes, what was the request?

Will the FIAU be seeking the suspension of the bank's licence pending the US case?

The answer received was: “As you may appreciate, we cannot provide you with a reply in view of our confidentiality and international obligations which prohibit us from disclosing such information.

“The FIAU is not a licencing authority and that it does not fall with the functions or the powers of the Unit to suspend or withdraw licences.”

Questions have also been sent to the MFSA; no answer has as yet been received.

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Earlier

An Iranian man has been arrested on charges that he evaded U.S. economic sanctions against Iran by sending more than $115 million from Venezuela through U.S. banks, AP reports.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad (Chairman of Pilatus Bank) created front companies and foreign bank accounts to mask his dealings with Iranian businesses in Venezuela.

His lawyer did not immediately comment, AP said.

Prosecutors say Sadr's money transfers to evade sanctions were made between April 2011 and November 2013. They say the money for a Venezuelan housing complex was illegally funneled through the U.S. financial system to benefit Iranian individuals and entities, AP reports.