Suspects Arrested in Austria

Mohammed Mahmoud (UID 707043) his spouse Mona Achmed Salem (UID 707044) and Asem Shakr (UID 707042 ) were arrested in their home city of Vienna. According to reports authorities have linked them to the terrorist organisation Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) (UID 551255). Mahmoud is believed to be the leader of GIMF. It is alleged that they were in contact with Al-Qaida networks. The trio were linked to a video which was released onto jihadist forums early this year. Mahmoud and his spouse were charged with being part of a terrorist organisation. Shakr was later released without charge.

Canada Charge Suspect

At the same time as arrests were being made in Europe, Canadian authorities detained Said Namouh (UID 70741) in Quebec. Namouh was charged with "conspiring for the purpose of delivering, placing, discharging or detonating an explosive in a place outside Canada." Namouh is allegedly the owner/operator of the Global Islamic Media Front (UID 551255) website for German speaking countries. It was also alleged that Namouh travelled to Iraq four years ago and according to reports is also the head of an Islamic youth group in Austria. He is linked to Mohammed Mahmoud (UID 70743) arrested in Austria in September. World-Check connects the dots that reveal entire networks across the globe. Check out the Display Graph on Mahmoud’s profile to reveal not only the primary associates but the secondary and tertiary levels of connections too.

Jailed for Supporting Overseas Terrorism

In September Khalid Awan (UID 532489) a naturalized Canadian was sentenced to 14 years behind bars. Awan was convicted of supporting the Khalistan Commando Force (UID 455347) – a Sikh militant group in India. It was also alleged that Awan had links to Muslim extremists groups. He had reportedly made frequent trips to Pakistan. Awan had previously been convicted of credit card conspiracy and served two years in jail. These latest charges resulting in his conviction were brought against him on his release in 2006.

ELF Activist gets Mistrial

In September Rod Coronado (UID 247077) a longstanding environment activist, appeared in court on a single count of distributing information on explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction with intent that his listeners commit illegal acts of violence. The trial ended in a deadlocked jury and a mistrial was declared. Coronado is linked to the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) (UID31515). Read the verification sources on Coronado’s profile to get a better perspective of this activist’s activities over the past two decades.

Most Wanted's Brother to Remain Behind Bars?

Rahmat Abdhir (UID 682074) whose brother Zulkifli Abdhir (UID 183049) is a SDGT - "specially designated global terrorist",- is awaiting a US court verdict on whether he can be released on bail. Rahmat is accused of sending $10,000 worth of military equipment including military radios to his brother in the Philippines. Rahmat has pleaded not guilty to all 16 counts which include the charge of conspiracy to support terrorists. Rahmat’s brother Zulkifli who is wanted on a US$5 million reward remains at large and is thought to be in hiding in the southern Philippines.

Fined for Lending Support to Narco-Terrorists

Chiquita Brands International Inc (UID 583144) was accused of making payments to Colombian narco-terrorist groups. In a plea agreement thrashed out with US prosecutors the company was fined a massive $25 million and placed on probation for five years. Chiquita Brands admitted that it paid $1.7 million between 1997 and 2004 to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, aka AUC (UID 14174) they also made payments to the National Liberation Army (ELN) (UID 1013) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia better known as FARC (UID 1053). Chiquita claimed the payments were to keep its banana plantation workers safe in Colombia. No executives of the company were charged. World-Check doesn’t just profile individuals but also entities, including corporations, foundations, charities and organisations involved or associated with terrorism.

"Terrorists seldom kill for money, but they always need money to kill. By reinforcing the controls which prevent the use of financial systems by terrorists, we can effectively cut off or restrict their access to funds and thus limit their capacity to strike whenever and wherever they choose."

Trends in Terror Finance
Part 1 - The Unregulated Sector

Six years since 9/11, securing the financial front remains central to the fight against al-Qaeda, its affiliates and associated cells. US-led initiatives to control the financing of terrorism are often cited as the most effective weapons in the counter-terrorism arsenal. In its December 2005 report, for example, the 9/11 Commission rated US and partner governments' progress in countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) higher than any of the other 41 areas assessed. To date, the US and its allies have frozen or seized some $200 million of terrorists' assets. In this new kind of war, where measurable progress is often an elusive concept, the fight to secure the financial front has achieved tangible results.

Indeed, a substantial sum of terrorist money has been taken out of circulation, and much praise is due to the global financial community for undertaking a greater role in complying with additional CFT requirements. Yet, it is remarkable that the overwhelming majority of asset freezes and seizures took place in the first two years after 9/11. Since 2003, the money trail has largely dried up. What explains this steep decline?

Read More...

In August the United Nations made a number of amendments, two additions and a removal from their watch lists. All five press releases can be viewed here.
SC9099 - SC9100 - SC9107 - SC9116 - SC9117 .

The US Treasury OFAC made three additions to their terrorism watchlist, both Press Releases can be viewed here. 2007/08/07 - 2007/08/13.

The Bank of England included a number of amendments, two additions and two removals. Releases can be viewed at 2007/08/03 2007/08/17 -2007/08/29 - 2007/09/14 - 2007/09/17

The European Union also made a number of amendments, removals and one addition to view press releases click on date. 2007/08/20 - 2007/08/29 - 2007/09/04 .

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