Rachida Dati’s corruption trial proceeds despite Carlos Ghosn’s absence

The corruption trial of Rachida Dati and Carlos Ghosn opened on 16 September 2026 before the Paris Criminal Court “tribunal correctionnel” on a procedural matter. The court had to rule on the request to postpone the hearing submitted by Carlos Ghosn last August, in which he cited non-compliance with the summons deadlines under French law. The civil parties, notably Renault and Transparency International, as well as the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) opposed the postponement request. Rachida Dati’s defense, without formally opposing it, likewise did not seek a postponement, her client wishing to be tried without delay. After deliberation, the court decided to proceed with the hearing and to try Carlos Ghosn in absentia. The case will now be examined by the court until 28 September 2026. > Read the article

US prosecutors allege that Chinese groups used Binance to launder $61 million derived from Iranian oil deals

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking $61 million, an amount presented as the alleged proceeds of money-laundering operations conducted through Binance accounts. Two Chinese companies, Hexa Whale Trading and Blessed Trust, are alleged to have converted the proceeds of illicit Iranian oil sales into crypto assets,  funds which were then allegedly channeled back to the Iranian government and its proxies, and which, according to the DOJ, were partly used to finance terrorism. The transactions, which took place in May and June of the previous year before being frozen, form part of a network that processed more than $1.5 billion. The case, brought in rem against the assets, does not name Binance or the two Chinese companies as defendants. Binance stated that no wrongdoing was alleged against it and affirmed that it would continue to cooperate with US authorities. > Read the article

Hashim Thaçi and co-defendants found guilty of war crimes

On 16 September 2026, the Trial Panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers handed down its verdict in the case against Hashim Thaçi, former president of Kosovo, and his co-defendants, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi. The four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army were found guilty of war crimes, including arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder, committed against hundreds of victims perceived as opponents of the movement during the conflict. They were, however, acquitted of charges of crimes against humanity due to a lack of evidence establishing a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population. Thaçi and Krasniqi were sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment, Veseli to 18 years, and Selimi to 13 years. The Trial Panel emphasized that the trial, which began in April 2023, took place in a climate of witness intimidation. Nevertheless, they were able to receive oral or written testimony from 273 people. > Read the article.

UK prosecutors file an extradition request for the Tate brothers from the US

The British authorities have submitted to the US State Department an extradition request concerning Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are dual nationals, in order for them to answer 59 charges (rape, trafficking for sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse images), 38 of which were added in July, relating to alleged acts committed between 2010 and 2017. The request will be reviewed for compliance with the UK-US extradition treaty before potentially being forwarded to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and then to the competent court, which alone has the authority to make a final ruling. The brothers’ lawyer, Joe McBride, is challenging the validity of the procedure, arguing that the required supporting documents (warrant, charging document, evidence) are missing. Both brothers, currently detained in Florida after their application for release on bail was denied, deny all the charges. > Read the article.

US Congress passes new package of sanctions against Russia and its allies

On 16 September 2026, the House of Representatives of the US Congress passed a bill establishing new sanctions against the Russian Federation and its allies, previously approved by the Senate. This bill constitutes the first American legal measure explicitly targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. It also extends existing sanctions regimes to the energy and defense sectors, as well as to Vladimir Putin and various senior officials. Finally, this act grants the executive branch discretionary authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five leading importing countries of Russian hydrocarbons, including China and India. > Read the article