BBC Bargain Hunt art expert Oghenochuko Ojiri has been jailed for failing to report a series of art sales to a man suspected of financing terror group Hezbollah.
Ojiri, 53, sold artwork worth around £140,000 to Nazem Ahmad, a man designated by US authorities as a suspected financier for the infamous group.
The art expert had previously pleaded guilty to eight offences under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.
He is believed to have been the first person to be charged with that specific offence.
At the Old Bailey on Friday afternoon, Ojiri was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
The BBC expert will also spend a further year on licence.
Oghenochuko Ojiri has been jailed for two-and-a-half years
CPS
Bethan David, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said following his sentencing: "It is clear that Oghenochuko Ojiri was aware of new money laundering regulations in the art world and that he had knowledge of Nazem Ahmad's background.
"Ojiri engaged in activity designed to conceal the identity of the true purchaser by changing the details on invoices and storing Ahmad's name under a different alias in his mobile phone.
"His motivation appears 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.
"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."
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According to American prosecutors, Ahmad was a 'major Hezbollah financial donor'
US TREASURY
According to American prosecutors, Ahmad was a "major Hezbollah financial donor" who used high-value art and diamonds to launder money and fund the group.
He is accused of evading terrorism sanctions by using front companies to acquire more than $160million (£120million) in artwork and "diamond services".
And after new money laundering regulations were brought in in January 2020, which brought the art market under HMRC supervision, Ojiri is said to have discussed the changes with a colleague, indicating he was aware of the rules.
The Met's Dominic Murphy said Ojiri's sentencing should 'act as a warning to all art dealers'
PA
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "This prosecution, using specific Terrorism Act legislation, is the first of its kind and should act as a warning to all art dealers that we can, and will, pursue those who knowingly do business with people identified as funders of terrorist groups.
"Oghenochuko Ojiri wilfully obscured the fact he knew he was selling artwork to Nazem Ahmad, someone who has been sanctioned by the UK and US Treasury and described as a funder of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah.
"Financial investigation is a crucial part of the counter-terrorism effort.
"A team of specialist investigators, analysts and researchers in the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit works all year round to prevent money from reaching the hands of terrorists or being used to fund attacks."
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