Nine Arrested in Italy for Allegedly Raising Millions for Hamas
Italian authorities have apprehended nine individuals accused of generating approximately €7 million (£6 million) for Hamas over the span of more than two years. Although the funds were reportedly collected under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, police assert that they were funneled to the militant organization through a complex fundraising system.
Details of the Operation
– Assets Seized: Alongside the arrests, authorities confiscated over €8 million (£7 million) in assets as part of their investigation.
– Charge Allegations: The suspects face serious allegations of executing financing operations that reportedly contributed to terrorist activities.
– Joint Initiative: The arrests were part of a collaborative effort between Italy’s counter-terrorism police and financial police.
Investigation Background
– Triggering Event: The investigation was launched following the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Authorities began to scrutinize a series of suspicious financial transactions connected to some of the suspects prior to the attack.
– Fundraising Infrastructure: Investigators uncovered a sophisticated fundraising network centered in Genoa with additional branches in Milan.
Misallocation of Funds
– Diverted Donations: According to the police statement, while the suspects purported to collect donations for the civilian population of Gaza, it was revealed that over 71% of the funds were redirected to finance Hamas’s military operations and to support families of suicide bombers or individuals detained for terrorism-related activities.
Key Figure in the Case
– Mohammad Hannoun: Among those arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy. He has publicly refuted claims of financing Hamas, dismissing them as a lie.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi commended the police for their efforts in this significant operation while emphasizing the importance of recognizing the presumption of innocence at this stage of the proceedings.
In conclusion, the arrests in Italy underline the complex web of fundraising for Hamas, emphasizing how humanitarian efforts can sometimes be exploited. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in distinguishing between legitimate aid and the financing of terrorism.