John Heathershaw – The Conversation

So-called professional enablers of grand corruption are increasing service provision out of jurisdictions where they can act without similar restraints. WaitForLight / Shutterstock

July 11, 2025

‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption

John Heathershaw, University of Exeter and Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, Sciences Po

Sensitive business is moving towards more permissive jurisdictions in response to tighter regulations and greater media attention.

‘Londongrad’ is a nickname for London that encapsulates the British capital’s popularity as a haven for wealthy Russians in the post-Soviet era. Drone Motion Stock / Shutterstock

February 18, 2025

How banks, lawyers and lobbyists in the west help post‑Communist kleptocrats stay rich

John Heathershaw, University of Exeter; Tena Prelec, University of Rijeka; Independent Social Research Foundation, and Tom Mayne, University of Exeter

The UK’s indulgence of kleptocratic elites from Russia and Eurasia is an acute example of the phenomenon of professional enabling.

The aftermath of the attack in Manhattan, October 31 2017. EPA/Jason Szenes

November 6, 2017

Has Uzbekistan’s repressive government helped radicalise its emigrants and exiles?

John Heathershaw, University of Exeter

With several terror attacks committed by Uzbeks abroad in 2017, one of the world’s harshest regimes is coming under scrutiny.

The indefinite ruler: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. EPA/Ria Novosti

September 7, 2016

After 25 years of independence, Tajikistan is a bastion of torture and repression

John Heathershaw, University of Exeter and Edward Lemon, University of Exeter

Tajikistan, a longstanding human rights violator, has been cracking down harshly on what’s left of its political opposition.

The aftermath of an anti-terrorist raid in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. EPA/Igor Kovalenko

April 11, 2016

How big a threat is Islamic State in Central Asia?

John Heathershaw, University of Exeter and David W. Montgomery, George Mason University

Islamic State has been spreading its influence beyond the Middle East – and Central Asia could be in the firing line.

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