UK arrests Islamic charity member
Regional-UK, Politics, 5/25/2006

UK police arrested several persons that include Islamic charity members without specifying the "exact nature of the alleged offences", except under the broad term of terrorism related activity.

UK police is doing an "extensive operation targeting individuals suspected of facilitating terrorism abroad" the BBC reported today "under the Terrorism Act and three under immigration legislation" and arrested Tahir Nasuf who is said to work for the Islamic relief agency Sanabel and is said to have promoted the removal of the Libyan regime of Muammar al-Qathafi.

The BBC said Mansur moved to Manchester in 1993 and is married with four children and "The offices of a charity he works for - the Sanabel Relief Agency - were also raided in Birmingham."

The US Department of the Treasury in February designated Mansur and four entities for their role in financing the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which the US says "is an al Qaida affiliate known for engaging in terrorist activity in Libya and cooperating with al Qaida worldwide."

"The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group threatens global safety and stability through the use of violence and its ideological alliance with al Qaida and other brutal terrorist organizations," had said Patrick O'Brien, the Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crime. "Through a sophisticated charitable front operation and other companies, the individuals designated.. have financially supported LIFG's activities."

The US said "Tahir Nasuf is a middle-ranking member of the LIFG. He was previously associated with senior UK-based Libyans tied to the al-Qaida-affiliated Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The GIA was designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001. Nasuf is one of three trustees and a director of SRA."

The US in February said "SRA was incorporated on February 12, 1999, and subsequently registered with the UK charity commission on November 17, 2000 as a charity with objectives "to relieve poverty, sickness and distress and to advance education of persons who are in need of such relief as a result of a natural disaster in particular, but not exclusively, by the provision of funds."

The US added "While SRA characterizes itself to the public as a charitable organization, its first priority is providing support to the LIFG's jihadist activities.  LIFG's fundraising charity is SRA, which is controlled by leaders of the LIFG.  Directors of SRA use the charity as a vehicle to transfer money and documents for terrorist activities overseas. Prior to September 11, 2001, SRA had an office in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where the former head of SRA in Kabul was known to have ties to the LIFG.  He was later believed to be arrested in Pakistan with three other LIFG members and al Qaida leader Abu Zubaydah.  Further, the director of SRA in Afghanistan received help from senior LIFG facilitator, Adnan al -Libi. These individuals and entities were designated today pursuant to Executive Order 13224 chiefly pursuant to paragraphs (d)(i) and (d)(ii) based on a determination that they assist in, sponsor or provide financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, or are otherwise associated with, persons listed as subject to E.O. 13224."

Sanabel Relief Agency says its aim is "to relieve the suffering of the Muslims around the world. To bring a quality standard of life to destitute parts of the world. To build Mosque's in Africa, Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia."

The US added "Blocking actions are critical to combating the financing of terrorism.  When an action is put into place, any assets existing in the formal financial system at the time of the order are to be frozen.  Blocking actions serve additional functions as well, acting as a deterrent for non-designated parties who might otherwise be willing to finance terrorist activity; exposing terrorist financing "money trails" that may generate leads to previously unknown terrorist cells and financiers; disrupting terrorist financing networks by encouraging designated terrorist supporters to disassociate themselves from terrorist activity and renounce their affiliation with terrorist groups; terminating terrorist cash flows by shutting down the pipelines used to move terrorist-related assets; forcing terrorists to use alternative and more costly and higher-risk means of financing their activities. The United States is also taking action today pursuant to United Nations Security Counsel Resolution 1617, which requires member states to financially isolate individuals and entities added to the UN 1267 Committee's consolidated list of terrorists tied to the Taliban, al Qaida and UBL."

Meantime, the BBC reports added that 18 addresses were raided and that this was part of an ongoing yearlong operation and "there was no threat of an attack on the UK."

The Washington Post reported today that Nasuf in February denied any ties to terrorism or al-Qaeda, saying "It is wrong what they said. I am just a volunteer worker. There is no relationship, nothing at all. I have done nothing. Sanabel is nothing to do with the other group." The Washington Post added "Another man accused by U.S. officials of involvement with Sanabel and funding extremists, Mohammed Benhammedi, 39, was arrested by British officials in February and charged with immigration offenses."

Previous Stories:
  British Council launches Muslim media guide   (5/22/2006)
  UK saw nothing of Iraq connection to London attacks   (5/20/2006)
  Muslims most deprived in the UK: report   (5/16/2006)
  London bombings part of Muslims radicalization   (5/11/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search