At time of reporting (2021), there was a concluded investigation/prosecution related to this case in the country of asset location (United States).
The asset freeze/seizure was also initiated using 18 USC s. 981(k) authorizing seizures from correspondent accounts.
The legal basis for international cooperation was also obtained bank records and temporarily assistance in enforcing a US restraining order which an Afghan appeals court later rejected.
Specific factors that helped make the asset return possible in this case were the US alleged these funds were profits of an Afghan company operating under contracts with the US DOD through a multi-country facility run by NATO. The US alleged that the company paid bribes including to US service members to obtain specific jobs under the contract. The US seized the funds and later entered into a global settlement with the Afghan contractor, and his companies, in which he paid to resolve US False Claims Act charges and forfeited $25 m. One of his main companies also pled guilty to paying US soldiers gratuities and paid a criminal fine of $810,000 and forfeited $190,000.