How Oligarch Sanctions Work
The oligarch sanction mechanics - and the 50% reach over assets.
Overview
Oligarch sanctions designate individuals - Putin, Lavrov, Abramovich, Deripaska - and block their assets and entities. The reach extends beyond the named person.
The mechanics
- OFAC designates the individual under a program authority (EO 14024, EO 13662)
- Their property and interests in property are blocked
- Entities owned 50%+ are treated as blocked (the 50% rule)
The ownership layer
Oligarch wealth runs through shell structures. The 50% rule blocks entities owned by designated persons even when never listed - ownership screening is the layer that catches them.
The screening shape
Screen the name, the owners, and the jurisdiction. The designated-owner scenario shows the workflow.