Italian police arrested nine individuals accused of raising €7m for Hamas, allegedly diverting humanitarian donations, following a complex investigation.

Italian Police Arrest Nine for Alleged Hamas Fundraising Scheme

Italian police have arrested nine people who are accused of raising approximately €7 million (about £6 million) for Hamas over a period of more than two years. According to official statements, the money was gathered under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians but was instead redirected to the militant group through a “complex fundraising system.”

Details of the Investigation and Arrests

As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities have seized over €8 million (£7 million) in assets. The suspects are specifically accused of conducting financing operations that likely contributed to terrorist activities, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the accusations.

These arrests came as a result of a coordinated effort between Italy’s counter-terror police and the financial police. The investigation was launched in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel, and authorities reviewed multiple suspicious financial transactions involving some of the accused prior to the incident.

Complex Fundraising Network Identified

Police uncovered an elaborate system with its headquarters in Genoa and extensions in Milan. According to their statement, “The suspects collected donations intended for the civilian population of Gaza, however, it emerged that over 71% of these funds were diverted to Hamas’s coffers to finance its military wing and support the families of suicide bombers or those detained for terrorism.”

Key Figures Involved and Official Response

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi identified Mohammad Hannoun, the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, as the most well-known of those arrested. Hannoun has publicly denied the allegations, calling them a “lie.”

Minister Piantedosi expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their diligence, but emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence at this stage of the proceedings. “The presumption of innocence… must always be recognised at this stage,” he noted in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Implications and Next Steps

This case underscores increasing concerns about terrorism financing and the misuse of humanitarian channels for illegal activities. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities scrutinize financial networks with potential ties to militant groups.

Learn More

For additional information on anti-money laundering laws in Italy, see the official resource provided by the Government of Italy.

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Read more about recent anti-terrorism operations in Italy and their impact on national security.

Original source: BBC News Article