Klarna blacklists Cuba and freezes payments to Swedish cigar dealers?
A Swedish online cigar retailer has to their own accord had all funds frozen by NASDAQ-listed Klarna indefinitely, citing the reason that the website sells Cuban cigars.
Published: 2025-11-09, at 14:48 Edited: 2025-11-10 at 06:10
Disclaimer: Cigarrvärlden is owned and operated by Cigarrklubben CK Sverige AB, which also operates a cigar club and has a foot in both camps. To put it mildly. Divison and separation of operations and the editorial is explained under the section "Conflicts of Interest (in Swedish)". Cigarrvärlden operates under a ‘certificate of no legal impediment to publication conferring constitutional protection’ (utgivningsbevis). With this certificate, Cigarrvärlden enjoys a special legal status in Swedish law under the freedom of expression act.
Cover image from the Swedish online retailer's social media and refers to a customer/follower expressing their dissatisfaction (translation God damn, what damn gayness).
Cigarrvärlden has previously reported that Chen Zhi , the owner of Habanos SA, who is suspected of human trafficking and money laundering, among other things. Cigarrvärlden also revealed that Chen Zhi owns 28,55% of the global tobacco giant together with the Cuban state, which in turn owns the Swedish subsidiary in its entirety.
On October 14, a month after Cigarrvärden's revelation, Chen Zhi was indicted by the US DOJ for human trafficking, "sextortion" and money laundering. In connection with the indictment, the DOJ seized 160 million USD in cryptocurrency belonging to Chen Zhi. Chen Zhi remains at large in Cambodia. Incidentally, the seizure is one third of Cambodia's GDP according to Jack Adamović Davies, the journalist who has been investigating Chen Zhi for half a decade.
Klarnas Blacklisting?
Cigarrvärlden is seeking a comment from Klarna to confirm the blacklisting itself and has asked for clarification on the bases of the blacklisting. Is it based on the report that Prisoners Defenders published on September 15th , which made allegations that cigars were produced in Cuban prisons under slave-like conditions, the fact that Chen Zhi is now being charged with human trafficking, "sextortion" and money laundering by the US DOJ, or is Klarna affected by the US DOJ's indictment and sanctions because it is listed on NASDAQ?
Cuban cigars - soon a thing of the past in Scandinavia and the Baltics?
Cigarrvärlden and Di: Prosecution of crypto fraudsters could throttle Swedish cigar imports have previously reported that Elite Trading Scandinavia's tobacco license could go up in flames due to the connection to Chen Zhi but also due to another person connected to the company.
In a letter dated November 3, the Municipality of Gothenburg wrote to Elite Trading Scandinavia AB (formerly Habanos Nordic AB) the following:
"The Municipality has also learned that Chen Zhi is being indicted by the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, for heading a global network of crypto fraud, human trafficking, corruption, and money laundering.
Please see attached attachments for the charges. The administration considers that the charges brought against Chen Zhi affect the assessment of personal and financial suitability."
Elite Trading Scandinavia AB has until December 10 to respond, which is also the deadline to submit documents with extracts from the Cambodian Tax Authority and Police regarding Chen Zhi in order for the Municipality to assess his personal and financial suitability.
However, it may prove difficult to sell Cuban cigars for Elite Trading Scandinavia, even with a tobacco permit, if several payment gateways follow Klarna's example.
Klarna is a global player specializing in BNPL and has been listed on NASDAQ since September 2025.
Footnote: Cigarrvärlden is seeking Klarna for a comment. Cigarrvärlden has sought a representative for Elite Trading Scandinavia AB, who has made him or herself unavailable for a week. Cigarrvärlden is seeking the online retailer for a comment.
Here are Cigarrvärldens previous articles about Chen Zhi/Elite Trading Scandinavia:
DOJ Tightens Noose On Owner Behind Cuban Cigar Giant
Prince Group's latest rebuttal published in full
Singapore Police Force Seize Assets worth USD 150 Million linked to Prince group and Chen Zhi
Swedish Habanos Importer gets Reprieve to present Chen Zhi's Cambodian tax and criminal records
Edits/updates in order, by date/time: Chens ownership was changed from 50% to 28,55% (the latter is what is verified).
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