GIBRALTAR DENIES US REQUEST FOR MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE SEIZURE OF THE GRACE 1

Today (August 18, 2019) The Gibraltar Central Authority, responding to the Supplemental Mutual Assistance Treaty request from the United States, after the issuance of the Arrest Warrant in US District Court, has advised that it is "unable to seek an order of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar to provide the restraining assistance requited by the United States of America."

The Central Authority stated that decision was made due to thje differences between EU and UK law, and US law, regarding sanctions. It noted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who controls the Grace 1, is not a designated terrorist organization in Gibraltar, the UK, or the European Union, and that there are fundamental differences from US sanctions, and the EU sanctions regime.

Reades who require the official statement from Her majesty's Government  of Gibraltar can access the complete text of the public statement here.