Court removes pizzeria from controversial list, rules it was ‘mistaken identity’

Tamarin-based pizzeria La Cosa Nostra is no longer among the companies targeted and whose funds were frozen by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Supreme Court has ruled.

Judge Nicholas Ohsan-Bellepeau has removed the pizzeria from the list brandished by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Carine Charlette-Katinic, as she announced the freezing of the funds of 24 companies, suspected of channeling sums of money from Libya and related to financing terrorism.

The judge found that the owner of the pizzeria, Éric Imbert, had been confused with another person with the same name and who was associated with Rascom – itself targeted by the FIU. 

Initially, La Cosa Nostra’s legal team reportedly asked the Supreme Court for a Variation Order for Rs 3.5 million so that the pizzeria could continue to operate, honour its financial commitments, especially to its suppliers, pay its taxes and pay its employees.

The Management Company of the Libyan funds, Capital Horizons, highlighted the FIU’s blunder, stating it was a blatant case of mistaken identity.

After taking note of the arguments of all the parties, Judge Ohsan-Bellepeau granted a complete discharge in favour of La Casa Nostra and ordered that the pizzeria be removed from the FIU’s Restriction Order.

Source: Defi Media