Adel Mohammad Cherri is a U.S.-designated Lebanese businessman accused of using his China-based company Le-Hua Electronic Field Co. Limited as a front to conduct transactions on behalf of Hezbollah.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Procurement Agents and Their Companies,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0255.aspx. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Cherri has used his company to buy dual-use technology and equipment from Asian suppliers for Hezbollah. He has also used the front to, “procure a variety of electronics from China for transport to Yemen for use in improvised explosive devices by” Iran- and Hezbollah-supported Houthi fighters.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Procurement Agents and Their Companies,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0255.aspx. There are conflicting reports on whether or not Le-Hua Electronic Field Co. Limited is still operating.“Le-Hua Electronic Field Co., Limited,” Company Search, http://www.hkcompanycheck.com/le-hua-electronic-field-co-limited-hkepfphkc/#.WyvFFC_Myu4; “Le-Hua Electronic Field Co., Limited,” Company Search, https://www.hongkongcompany.net/company_information?utm_term=Le-hua-Electronic-Field-Co-Limited&utm_source=irigahke.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) added Cherri and his company to its list of Specially Designated Nationals on November 5, 2015.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Procurement Agents and Their Companies,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0255.aspx; “Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20151105.aspx. Soon after, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imposed sanctions on Cherri and Le-Hua Electronic Field Co. Limited on February 25, 2016.“Kingdom Imposes Sanctions on Individuals and Entities Linked to Hezbollah,” The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, February 25, 2016, https://www.saudiembassy.net/news/kingdom-imposes-sanctions-individuals-and-entities-linked-hezbollah. As of February 27, 2016, Cherri remains in China.“Kingdom extends Hezbollah sanctions,” Arab News, February 27, 2016, http://www.arabnews.com/news/887121.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control designated Adel Mohamad Cherri a Specially Designated National and sanctioned his company Le-Hua Electronic Field Co. Limited under Executive Order 13224 on November 5, 2015.“Treasury Sanctions Hizballah Procurement Agents and Their Companies,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0255.aspx; “Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20151105.aspx.
Saudi Arabia
On February 25, 2016, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designated Adel Mohammed Sheri and his Le-Hua Electronic Field Co. Limited under the Terrorism Crimes and Financing Laws and Royal Decree No. A/44.“Kingdom Imposes Sanctions on Individuals and Entities Linked to Hezbollah,” The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, February 25, 2016, https://www.saudiembassy.net/news/kingdom-imposes-sanctions-individuals-and-entities-linked-hezbollah; “Kingdom extends Hezbollah sanctions,” Arab News, February 27, 2017, http://www.arabnews.com/news/887121.
- Adel Mohammed Sheri“Lebanon’s PM issues ultimatum over Hezbollah,” Times of Israel, February 26, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanons-pm-issues-ultimatum-over-hezbollah/?fb_comment_id=1000789029960154_1001213523251038#f262ee6f6860f06.
- Adel Mohammad Cheri“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20151105.aspx.
- ‘Adil Shirri“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20151105.aspx.