The Ministry of Finance in the government of the Syrian regime issued a decision requiring the preventive seizure of movable and immovable funds for nine persons and institutions working in the field of import and customs clearance.
The decision, issued on Jan. 7, 2021, which bore the signature of Finance Minister Kinan Yaghi, included the precautionary seizure of the movable and immovable funds of the Imad Hmisho Group, Mohammad Walid Hmisho, Ahmad Walid Hmisho, and Hiba Walid Hmisho, in addition to the customs broker, Iyad Wajih Skeif.
The precautionary seizure decision also affected the Golden Bay ship and its owner, the captain of the ship, Abdul Qadir Yaziji, and the shipping agent, Shadi al-Martini, the representative of The Eagle for Trade, Import and Export.
The ministry stated in its decision that a preventive seizure was placed on the aforementioned individuals and institutions, due to the import of smuggled goods worth 7 billion and 735 million Syrian pounds.
According to the decision, the fines owed by the aforementioned entities are estimated at 33 billion and 202 million Syrian pounds as a maximum.
Golden Bay is a general cargo company established in 1989, with a carrying capacity of 7,701 tons and a current draft of nine meters, sailing under the Togolese flag.
Golden Bay works with several Egyptian companies and transports various goods and industrial equipment and specializes in sea freight from Egypt to Syria and Lebanon, in addition to shipping from Turkey to Lebanon.
Imad Hamisho is the founder of the second car assembly plant in Syria, Chairman of the board of directors and a partner in Hamisho Minerals, of which he owns a 60 percent stake, worth about 52 million pounds, as well as being manager and sole owner of the al-Tameer Company for Import and Export. Mohammad Walid Hamisho is the Director of Emmar Motors and a founding partner in Asas Steel. He owns stakes in several companies along with his brothers Ahmad and Hiba, who are also subject to the precautionary seizure decision.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
