US Removes Uzbek Citizen Pilfax from Sanctions List

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has removed Uzbek citizen Gilad Pilfax from its sanctions list, according to an official statement on the agency’s website.

Sanctions against Gilad Pilfax and his father, Max Pilfax, were originally imposed in early February 2022. At that time, U.S. authorities blacklisted 22 individuals and entities suspected of supplying high-tech components to Russia in violation of imposed restrictions.

Gilad Pilfax was born on September 23, 1992, in Tashkent and holds dual Uzbek and Israeli citizenship. His father, Max Borisovich Pilfax, born on June 14, 1962, is an Uzbek citizen residing in Uzbekistan and serves as director of Mateas Limited. Both father and son were reportedly associated with the so-called Zimenkov network and partnered with DES Defense Engineering Solutions LTD.

According to the U.S. Treasury, Igor Zimenkov created a network intended to circumvent sanctions and support Russia’s defense industry. Members of this network allegedly participated in projects, including the supply of high-tech equipment to Russia after the onset of military actions in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Some network participants were reported to have assisted Russian organizations such as Rosoboronexport and Rostec.

The removal of Gilad Pilfax from the sanctions list indicates a reassessment of his involvement by OFAC and restores his ability to engage in international transactions without restrictions.