James Dowsett
@jdowsea.bsky.social
Investigative reporter @occrp.org
Reposted by James Dowsett
Land records reveal a 33.7 million pounds London mansion owned by sanctioned Iranian banker Ali Ansari, accused of aiding the IRGC.
www.occrp.org/en/news/sanc...
www.occrp.org/en/news/sanc...
Sanctioned Iranian Banker Owns Multi-Million-Pound London Mansion
Land records reveal a 33.7 million pounds London mansion owned by sanctioned Iranian banker Ali Ansari, accused of aiding the IRGC.
www.occrp.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Land records reveal a 33.7 million pounds London mansion owned by sanctioned Iranian banker Ali Ansari, accused of aiding the IRGC.
www.occrp.org/en/news/sanc...
www.occrp.org/en/news/sanc...
Reposted by James Dowsett
UK accuses Iranian banker of funding Revolutionary Guard, imposing an asset freeze and travel ban against him.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-s...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-s...
UK Sanctions Iranian Tycoon for Allegedly Financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
UK accuses Iranian banker of funding Revolutionary Guard, imposing an asset freeze and travel ban against him.
www.occrp.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:56 PM
UK accuses Iranian banker of funding Revolutionary Guard, imposing an asset freeze and travel ban against him.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-s...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-s...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Kyrgyzstan requested a Red Notice for Rinat Tuhvatshin, co-founder of Kloop, in an apparent attempt to silence him abroad. The government has been cracking down on all independent media critical of its actions.
www.occrp.org/en/news/inte...
www.occrp.org/en/news/inte...
Interpol Rejects Kyrgyzstan’s Request for a Warrant against Independent Media Co-Founder
Kyrgyzstan requested a Red Notice for Rinat Tuhvatshin, co-founder of Kloop, in an apparent attempt to silence him abroad. The government has been cracking down on all independent media critical of its...
www.occrp.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Kyrgyzstan requested a Red Notice for Rinat Tuhvatshin, co-founder of Kloop, in an apparent attempt to silence him abroad. The government has been cracking down on all independent media critical of its actions.
www.occrp.org/en/news/inte...
www.occrp.org/en/news/inte...
Reposted by James Dowsett
House arrest ordered for former Azerbaijani presidential chief of staff on treason, attempted coup, and money laundering charges.
www.occrp.org/en/news/azer...
www.occrp.org/en/news/azer...
Azerbaijan’s Former Presidential Chief of Staff Placed Under House Arrest
House arrest ordered for former Azerbaijani presidential chief of staff on treason, attempted coup, and money laundering charges.
www.occrp.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
House arrest ordered for former Azerbaijani presidential chief of staff on treason, attempted coup, and money laundering charges.
www.occrp.org/en/news/azer...
www.occrp.org/en/news/azer...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Rza Talibov sold off assets in 2023 during a crackdown on his father’s oppressive administration in Nakhchivan, an autonomous region of Azerbaijan. Now, he’s re-taken control of a luxury hotel, along with another property on Georgia's Black Sea coast.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
EXCLUSIVE: Azerbaijani Ex-Autocrat's Son Buys Back Luxury Hotel Sold Amid Political Upheaval
Rza Talibov sold off assets in 2023 during a crackdown on his father’s oppressive administration in Nakhchivan, an autonomous region of Azerbaijan. Now, he’s re-taken control of a luxury hotel, along...
www.occrp.org
September 23, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Rza Talibov sold off assets in 2023 during a crackdown on his father’s oppressive administration in Nakhchivan, an autonomous region of Azerbaijan. Now, he’s re-taken control of a luxury hotel, along with another property on Georgia's Black Sea coast.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
🚨 An Israeli man dubbed “The Tinder Swindler” in a 2022 Netflix documentary has been detained in Georgia at Interpol’s request, after Germany accused him of conning a woman out of nearly €44,000.
His lawyer told @occrp.org he denies the allegation.
His lawyer told @occrp.org he denies the allegation.
“Tinder Swindler” Arrested in Georgia, Placed in Extradition Custody
A Georgian court has remanded Israeli national Shimon Hayut, the focus of a 2022 Netflix documentary, in custody for three months pending a possible extradition request from Germany.
www.occrp.org
September 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
🚨 An Israeli man dubbed “The Tinder Swindler” in a 2022 Netflix documentary has been detained in Georgia at Interpol’s request, after Germany accused him of conning a woman out of nearly €44,000.
His lawyer told @occrp.org he denies the allegation.
His lawyer told @occrp.org he denies the allegation.
Reposted by James Dowsett
Juansher Burchuladze is alleged to have directed an embezzlement scheme, and used stolen funds to buy property in Spain. Through his lawyer, he denied the allegations.
www.occrp.org/en/news/geor...
www.occrp.org/en/news/geor...
Georgia Detains Former Defence Minister on Money Laundering and Abuse of Power Charges
Juansher Burchuladze is alleged to have directed an embezzlement scheme, and used stolen funds to buy property in Spain. Through his lawyer, he denied the allegations.
www.occrp.org
September 12, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Juansher Burchuladze is alleged to have directed an embezzlement scheme, and used stolen funds to buy property in Spain. Through his lawyer, he denied the allegations.
www.occrp.org/en/news/geor...
www.occrp.org/en/news/geor...
Reposted by James Dowsett
A veteran journalist thought she survived the siege of Sarajevo unscathed — but in recent weeks, horrific stories emerging from the war in Gaza reignited her long-buried trauma.
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
The War That Came Back to Me
A veteran journalist thought she survived the siege of Sarajevo unscathed — but in recent weeks, horrific stories emerging from the war in Gaza reignited her long-buried trauma.
www.occrp.org
September 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A veteran journalist thought she survived the siege of Sarajevo unscathed — but in recent weeks, horrific stories emerging from the war in Gaza reignited her long-buried trauma.
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Seven years ago today, OCCRP, Berlingske, and international partners exposed the Azerbaijani Laundromat — a $2.9bn money-laundering operation and slush fund run by Azerbaijan's elite.
From bank shutdowns to arrests and jail time, here's what's happened since:
From bank shutdowns to arrests and jail time, here's what's happened since:
September 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Seven years ago today, OCCRP, Berlingske, and international partners exposed the Azerbaijani Laundromat — a $2.9bn money-laundering operation and slush fund run by Azerbaijan's elite.
From bank shutdowns to arrests and jail time, here's what's happened since:
From bank shutdowns to arrests and jail time, here's what's happened since:
Reposted by James Dowsett
According to @rsf.org data, 220 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip in less than 23 months.
Today, OCCRP is joining an international media blackout campaign, organized by RSF and @avaaz.org, calling for the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
Today, OCCRP is joining an international media blackout campaign, organized by RSF and @avaaz.org, calling for the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
September 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
According to @rsf.org data, 220 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip in less than 23 months.
Today, OCCRP is joining an international media blackout campaign, organized by RSF and @avaaz.org, calling for the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
Today, OCCRP is joining an international media blackout campaign, organized by RSF and @avaaz.org, calling for the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
Reposted by James Dowsett
Prosecutors in Georgia launched a criminal probe into seven NGOs, freezing their bank accounts over alleged “sabotage” tied to anti-government protests.
www.occrp.org/en/news/ngo-...
www.occrp.org/en/news/ngo-...
NGO Accounts Frozen in Georgia as Prosecutors Link Groups to 2024 Protests
Prosecutors in Georgia launched a criminal probe into seven NGOs, freezing their bank accounts over alleged “sabotage” tied to anti-government protests.
www.occrp.org
August 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Prosecutors in Georgia launched a criminal probe into seven NGOs, freezing their bank accounts over alleged “sabotage” tied to anti-government protests.
www.occrp.org/en/news/ngo-...
www.occrp.org/en/news/ngo-...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Scam Empire is a finalist for the @journalists.org’s #OJA in the Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism category.
Our cross-border investigation with SVT + 30 partners exposed a global scam network that stole millions from victims. More about the project www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
Our cross-border investigation with SVT + 30 partners exposed a global scam network that stole millions from victims. More about the project www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
August 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Scam Empire is a finalist for the @journalists.org’s #OJA in the Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism category.
Our cross-border investigation with SVT + 30 partners exposed a global scam network that stole millions from victims. More about the project www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
Our cross-border investigation with SVT + 30 partners exposed a global scam network that stole millions from victims. More about the project www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Foreign embassies and media advocates condemned Mzia Amaghlobeli’s sentencing, after a Georgian court jailed the veteran journalist.
www.occrp.org/en/news/outc...
www.occrp.org/en/news/outc...
Outcry As Georgian Journalist Jailed For Slapping Police Officer
Foreign embassies and media advocates condemned Mzia Amaghlobeli’s sentencing, after a Georgian court jailed the veteran journalist.
www.occrp.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Foreign embassies and media advocates condemned Mzia Amaghlobeli’s sentencing, after a Georgian court jailed the veteran journalist.
www.occrp.org/en/news/outc...
www.occrp.org/en/news/outc...
Reposted by James Dowsett
Senior imam Kazem Sedighi had faced mounting pressure to step down since his relatives were arrested in early June, in the wake of a 2024 media report alleging that the cleric and his family were involved in a corrupt land transfer deal.
www.occrp.org/en/news/top-...
www.occrp.org/en/news/top-...
Top Iranian Cleric Resigns Amid Land Grab Allegations
Senior imam Kazem Sedighi had faced mounting pressure to step down since his relatives were arrested in early June, in the wake of a 2024 media report alleging that the cleric and his family were involved...
www.occrp.org
August 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Senior imam Kazem Sedighi had faced mounting pressure to step down since his relatives were arrested in early June, in the wake of a 2024 media report alleging that the cleric and his family were involved in a corrupt land transfer deal.
www.occrp.org/en/news/top-...
www.occrp.org/en/news/top-...
Reposted by James Dowsett
A British solicitor was sanctioned for breaching anti-money laundering rules related to funds from the children of Azerbaijan's former security minister, including a transfer earmarked for the purchase of U.K. property now held via an offshore structure.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-l...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-l...
EXCLUSIVE: U.K. Lawyer Fined Over Due Diligence Failures in Property Deal Linked to Family Members of Azerbaijani Official
A British solicitor was sanctioned for breaching anti-money laundering rules related to funds from the children of Azerbaijan's former security minister, including a transfer earmarked for the purchase...
www.occrp.org
August 1, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A British solicitor was sanctioned for breaching anti-money laundering rules related to funds from the children of Azerbaijan's former security minister, including a transfer earmarked for the purchase of U.K. property now held via an offshore structure.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-l...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-l...
Reposted by James Dowsett
A German court has convicted a former Bundestag lawmaker of bribing officials on behalf of Azerbaijan, sentencing him to a suspended prison term in a major ruling tied to the Azerbaijani Laundromat corruption scandal.
www.occrp.org/en/news/germ...
www.occrp.org/en/news/germ...
German Ex-MP Convicted in Azerbaijan Bribery Scandal
A German court has convicted a former Bundestag lawmaker of bribing officials on behalf of Azerbaijan, sentencing him to a suspended prison term in a major ruling tied to the Azerbaijani Laundromat corruption...
www.occrp.org
July 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A German court has convicted a former Bundestag lawmaker of bribing officials on behalf of Azerbaijan, sentencing him to a suspended prison term in a major ruling tied to the Azerbaijani Laundromat corruption scandal.
www.occrp.org/en/news/germ...
www.occrp.org/en/news/germ...
🔒⚖️ Yesterday, Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of news organization @netgazeti.org over a tax debt. The outlet says it is being pressured as its founder Mzia Amaghlobeli stands trial on charges that she calls retaliation for her work.
More details via @occrp.org👇
More details via @occrp.org👇
Georgian Outlet’s Accounts Frozen as its Founder Faces Trial
Batumelebi/Netgazeti claim that the Georgian authorities want to put pressure on the outlet as its founder Mzia Amaghlobeli faces prison for an alleged assault in proceedings condemned as unjust by hu...
www.occrp.org
July 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
🔒⚖️ Yesterday, Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of news organization @netgazeti.org over a tax debt. The outlet says it is being pressured as its founder Mzia Amaghlobeli stands trial on charges that she calls retaliation for her work.
More details via @occrp.org👇
More details via @occrp.org👇
🚨 BREAKING: Azerbaijan jails journalists from Abzas Media and RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service in trial condemned as a ‘sham’
🗣️ @amnesty.org's Marie Struthers: “Azerbaijan's judicial system is being weaponized to muzzle independent journalism.”
More details via @occrp.org👇
🗣️ @amnesty.org's Marie Struthers: “Azerbaijan's judicial system is being weaponized to muzzle independent journalism.”
More details via @occrp.org👇
Azerbaijan Hands Long Prison Sentences to 7 Journalists, Critics say Trial was a Sham
On Friday, an Azerbaijani court handed lengthy prison sentences to staff members of the independent outlet Abzas Media and a journalist from RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani service. The trial had been condemned ...
www.occrp.org
June 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🚨 BREAKING: Azerbaijan jails journalists from Abzas Media and RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service in trial condemned as a ‘sham’
🗣️ @amnesty.org's Marie Struthers: “Azerbaijan's judicial system is being weaponized to muzzle independent journalism.”
More details via @occrp.org👇
🗣️ @amnesty.org's Marie Struthers: “Azerbaijan's judicial system is being weaponized to muzzle independent journalism.”
More details via @occrp.org👇
Reposted by James Dowsett
The Azerbaijani government’s relentless crackdown on journalists has eradicated any semblance of independent media from the country.
Here’s how smuggling charges, harsh prison conditions, and pro-government attack dogs are strangling press freedom 👇
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
Here’s how smuggling charges, harsh prison conditions, and pro-government attack dogs are strangling press freedom 👇
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
The Death of Journalism in Azerbaijan
A relentless crackdown over the past 18 months has eradicated any semblance of independent media from authoritarian Azerbaijan. But as President Ilham Aliyev casts critical journalists as enemies of t...
www.occrp.org
June 5, 2025 at 7:14 AM
The Azerbaijani government’s relentless crackdown on journalists has eradicated any semblance of independent media from the country.
Here’s how smuggling charges, harsh prison conditions, and pro-government attack dogs are strangling press freedom 👇
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
Here’s how smuggling charges, harsh prison conditions, and pro-government attack dogs are strangling press freedom 👇
www.occrp.org/en/feature/t...
“𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿.”
Several Georgian independent media and civil society groups have vowed to defy a new foreign agents law, warning it will be used to silence dissent. Some are taking the fight to court.
More details via @occrp.org👇
Several Georgian independent media and civil society groups have vowed to defy a new foreign agents law, warning it will be used to silence dissent. Some are taking the fight to court.
More details via @occrp.org👇
Georgian NGOs, Media Defy Stricter Foreign Agents Law as It Takes Effect
Georgia’s independent media and civil society groups are refusing to register under the new, stricter version of the “foreign agents” law. Despite the threat of legal sanctions, many vow to keep resis...
www.occrp.org
June 3, 2025 at 7:26 AM
“𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿.”
Several Georgian independent media and civil society groups have vowed to defy a new foreign agents law, warning it will be used to silence dissent. Some are taking the fight to court.
More details via @occrp.org👇
Several Georgian independent media and civil society groups have vowed to defy a new foreign agents law, warning it will be used to silence dissent. Some are taking the fight to court.
More details via @occrp.org👇
Reposted by James Dowsett
A former German lawmaker has said that an indictment against him in the #AzerbaijaniLaundromat trial is correct — but later told journalists that he was innocent as he didn’t consider payments from Azerbaijan’s government to be bribes.
www.occrp.org/en/news/form...
www.occrp.org/en/news/form...
Former German MP Affirms Indictment Accusing Him of Taking Bribes from Azerbaijan
Eduard Lintner, a former parliamentarian with the CSU party, later said he didn’t think the payments he received were bribes.
www.occrp.org
May 30, 2025 at 11:28 AM
A former German lawmaker has said that an indictment against him in the #AzerbaijaniLaundromat trial is correct — but later told journalists that he was innocent as he didn’t consider payments from Azerbaijan’s government to be bribes.
www.occrp.org/en/news/form...
www.occrp.org/en/news/form...
Reposted by James Dowsett
The #BakuConnection project by @forbidden-stories.bsky.social , OCCRP, Abzas Media and 13 partners has received the Special Award at this year’s European Press Prize.
It continued the work of jailed Abzas reporters, exposing abuses by the Aliyev regime.
www.europeanpressprize.com/article/the-...
It continued the work of jailed Abzas reporters, exposing abuses by the Aliyev regime.
www.europeanpressprize.com/article/the-...
The Baku Connection - European Press Prize
The following article is part of a wider project: The Baku Connection. Find the project website including several more stories here.Read more about The Baku Connection ›
www.europeanpressprize.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The #BakuConnection project by @forbidden-stories.bsky.social , OCCRP, Abzas Media and 13 partners has received the Special Award at this year’s European Press Prize.
It continued the work of jailed Abzas reporters, exposing abuses by the Aliyev regime.
www.europeanpressprize.com/article/the-...
It continued the work of jailed Abzas reporters, exposing abuses by the Aliyev regime.
www.europeanpressprize.com/article/the-...
Reposted by James Dowsett
EXCLUSIVE: A tanker ship just sanctioned by the U.K. for shipping oil on Russia’s behalf is owned by the Azerbaijani government, corporate docs show.
@zakavkaza of @FPRI said the move is a “clear warning shot” for the Aliyev government.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
@zakavkaza of @FPRI said the move is a “clear warning shot” for the Aliyev government.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
EXCLUSIVE: UK Sanctions Azerbaijan State-Owned Tanker for Shipping Russian Oil
The sanctions on Azerbaijani companies and individuals come as the country is deepening energy ties with the European Union.
www.occrp.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
EXCLUSIVE: A tanker ship just sanctioned by the U.K. for shipping oil on Russia’s behalf is owned by the Azerbaijani government, corporate docs show.
@zakavkaza of @FPRI said the move is a “clear warning shot” for the Aliyev government.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
@zakavkaza of @FPRI said the move is a “clear warning shot” for the Aliyev government.
www.occrp.org/en/news/excl...
Reposted by James Dowsett
NEW: Despite a criminal probe in Georgia, call center from our #ScamEmpire investigation appears to be back. According to newly obtained records, the scammers have continued making calls using a VoIP service that allows them to disguise their country of origin. www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
Despite Criminal Probe, Georgian Call-Center Scammers Are Back At Work
Last month, more than 30 media outlets reported on a global scam operation based in Tbilisi, prompting Georgian authorities to launch an investigation. But newly obtained telecom records show that the...
www.occrp.org
April 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
NEW: Despite a criminal probe in Georgia, call center from our #ScamEmpire investigation appears to be back. According to newly obtained records, the scammers have continued making calls using a VoIP service that allows them to disguise their country of origin. www.occrp.org/en/project/s...
🇬🇧 The UK has sanctioned two influential Georgian judges for allegedly “abusing their position” to favour Georgia's ruling party.
One of them has denied the allegations, calling the decision politically motivated.
More details via @occrp.org👇
One of them has denied the allegations, calling the decision politically motivated.
More details via @occrp.org👇
UK Sanctions Two Influential Georgian Judges For Alleged Corruption
The U.K. has sanctioned two influential Georgian judges, claiming they were corrupt and favored the ruling party.
www.occrp.org
April 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🇬🇧 The UK has sanctioned two influential Georgian judges for allegedly “abusing their position” to favour Georgia's ruling party.
One of them has denied the allegations, calling the decision politically motivated.
More details via @occrp.org👇
One of them has denied the allegations, calling the decision politically motivated.
More details via @occrp.org👇