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BAT Faces Lawsuit for Financing North Korean Terrorism

1/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

British American Tobacco (BAT) formed a joint venture with a North Korean company in 2001 to manufacture cigarettes, continuing operations despite U.S. sanctions.
In 2023, BAT entered a deferred prosecution agreement, paying $629 million for violating these sanctions.
A lawsuit claims BAT's profits funded North Korea's weapons program, linking them to attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.
Over 200 plaintiffs allege BAT knowingly financed terrorism and disregarded warnings about its operations, contributing to terrorist violence.

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Story summary

British American Tobacco (BAT) formed a joint venture with a North Korean company in 2001 to manufacture cigarettes, continuing operations despite U.S. sanctions.
In 2023, BAT entered a deferred prosecution agreement, paying $629 million for violating these sanctions.
A lawsuit claims BAT's profits funded North Korea's weapons program, linking them to attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.
Over 200 plaintiffs allege BAT knowingly financed terrorism and disregarded warnings about its operations, contributing to terrorist violence.