The Ynet website reports that the Leviev Group has denied rumors according to which it has purchased diamonds and precious stones from Myanmar.

The denial came in the wake of an article in the Sunday Times according to which the Leviev Group sells gemstones that were purchased in the problematic country. The paper further reported that Myanmar (formerly Burma) is currently controlled by a military dictatorship which finances itself by selling the country`s precious stones.

Leviev has diamond polishing factories all over the world and widespread ties in Africa. Two years ago the Group opened a jewelry store in London and shortly thereafter, another store in Moscow.

The Group`s spokesperson noted that the gemstones sold in the stores are from collections that are dozens of years old.

The UN has in the past imposed sanctions on countries that deal in conflict diamonds in order to prevent trade in gems used to finance rebels and terror. The UN published a list of countries banned from dealing in the sale of diamonds and other gemstones but Myanmar is not included in the list.