Italy arrests 9 over Hamas funding network

New Delhi, Dec 28: Italian police have arrested nine people accused of raising about Rs 7 million over more than two years to finance Hamas, following a counter-terrorism investigation.

BBC reported the authorities as saying that the funds were publicly presented as humanitarian donations for Palestinian civilians but were instead channelled to Hamas through a complex fundraising network.

Police also seized more than Rs 8 million in assets linked to the case.

The suspects are accused of carrying out financial activities believed to have supported terrorist operations.

The arrests were made as part of a joint operation by Italy’s counter-terrorism police and financial crime units.

Police identified a series of suspicious financial transactions involving several of the suspects. Investigators said the fundraising network was based in Genoa, with additional operations in Milan.

Police allege that more than 70 percent of the donated funds were diverted to Hamas, including financing its military wing and providing support to the families of suicide bombers or individuals detained on terrorism-related charges.

Among those arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, identified by authorities as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy.