New charges brought against Al Qaida leader for financing terror from jail

Convicted for his key role in the 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid, Syrian-born Eddin Barakat Yarkas (UID 45631), was charged by a Spanish court for terrorist financing while in prison. His accomplices, two suspected financial operatives for Spanish al-Qaida networks, Mohammed Kalaje Zouyadi (UID 45732) and Bassam Dalati Satut (UID 45635), allegedly transferred at least €51,000 to Yarkas for the purpose of financing terrorist cells, according to the indictment.

Indonesia imprisons suspected JI member for money transfers to leader in Philippines

Suspected member of Jemaa Islamiyah (JI) (UID 57652), Arif Syarifuddin (UID 646446), was sentenced by an Indonesian court to 8 years imprisonment for assisting terrorism by providing shelter to fugitive JI members and making three transfers of US$1100 to OFAC-designated JI leader, Joko Pitono (UID 89101).

Indonesian court labels JI a Terrorist Group

At the end of April, during the sentencing of two of Jemaa Isalmiyah's (UID 57652) senior members, Abu Dujana (UID 253075) and Zarkasih (UID 620110) the presiding judges declared JI to be "a forbidden corporation". Both Dujana and Zarkasih received 15 year sentences for concealing weapons, ammunitions and explosives with the intention of carrying out acts of terrorism. In addition Dujana was found guilty of funding and aiding and abetting terrorists. Both also received fines of Rp10m. Check out their profiles to reveal their network of associates and organisations and use the Display Graph to reveal the secondary and tertiary connections.

Bosnian refugee jailed in Austria

Asim Ceivanovic (UID 721698) was this month convicted in an Austrian court of importing and owning banned weapons. He was acquitted on the more serious charge of attempting to commit a crime using the explosives. Ceivanovic reportedly attempted to enter the US Embassy in Vienna carrying a rucksack containing explosives, however they were not primed to detonate. He was sentenced to 15 months in jail and must undergo psychiatric tests.

Hizbul Mujahideen financial chief killed

Last month security forces and police in Palhalan, India killed the reported financial chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Zahoor Ahmad Waza (UID 856899). Waza had been on the run for three years since escaping from prison in Srinagar in February 2005. He had been hiding out in a house in Raipora in Palhalan. Reports stated that Waza had been active in the area since 1999.

Four charges for supporting LTTE

Authorities in Britain recently arrested two Sri Lankans, Jegatheeswaran Muralieetharan (UID 856902) and Jeyatheswaran Vythyatharan (UID 856901) in Wales, and two others Murugesu Jegatheeswaran (UID 856900) and Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar (UID 553452) were detained in South London. All four have now been charged 'with conspiring to receive equipment for terrorist purposes between January 2003 and December 2006'. According to reports the suspects have been under police investigations for a long time. They are all alleged to have conspired to support the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) (UID 3219). A police spokesman was quoted as saying 'It is not linked to Al Qaida type activity or inspired terrorism. It is in relation to support, procurement and fundraising for a proscribed organisation, the LTTE.' Check out their profiles to read about the conspiracy and also to note their aliases and other key identification details.

LTTE'S Highly organised fundraising structure revealed

This month the Federal Court in Canada unsealed an 184 page affidavit which reveals that the Sri Lankan banned terror organisation the Tamil Tigers, effectively control the Canadian based World Tamil Movement (UID 553437). The LTTE is reported to use it as a 'foreign branch' in charge of raising funds and spreading propaganda for their terror efforts. Reports suggest that federal prosecutors will now seize the group's Montreal HQ and its bank accounts for allegedly financing terrorism. Both the Ontario and Quebec branches of the WTM are currently under police investigation but as yet no charges have been laid. The World-Check Terrorism and Insurgency Research Unit (TIRU) analysts are currently monitoring developments and profiles will be updated as more information emerges.

"The real value of all of our counter-terrorist financing efforts is that they provide us with another means of maintaining persistent pressure on terrorist networks. Terrorist networks and organizations require real financing to survive. The support they require goes far beyond funding attacks. They need money to pay operatives, support their families, indoctrinate and recruit new members, train, travel, and bribe officials. When we restrict the flow of funds to terrorist groups or disrupt a link in their financing chain, we can have an impact”

Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Are Sanctions Lists Enough?
by John Solomon

The global financial community stands on the front lines in the war against terrorists and their support infrastructures. The post-9/11 efforts to desiccate terrorist revenue streams center on an international regulatory framework that has grown to reflect the intensified terrorist threat in the post-9/11 era. Compliance with official blacklists of designated terrorist individuals and entities has become the principal mechanism to combat terrorist financing.

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In April 2008 the United Nations updated its watch list with 16 amendments on the 2008-04-10.

In April 2008, the UK Treasury issued four terrorism-related press releases. They made amendments to 14 entries on 2008-04-11 . The UK Treasury also deleted Amjad Mahmood from the watch list on 2008-04-14. On 2008-04-24 two additions were made and on 2008-04-30 a further 6 individuals were deleted.

The European Union amended 37 entries on 2008-04-24 and at the end of the month they issued four further press releases which can be viewed here. Release 1 - Release 2 - Release 3 - Release 4.

The US Treasury OFAC made no amendments or additions to their terrorism list during April.

EVENTS:

21-23 May, 2008

20-25 July, 2008

WORLD-CHECK NEWS

World-Check's terrorism content continues to overshadow official sanctions lists. The combined 918 individual profiles listed by those authorities constitute a mere 3.2% of World-Check's current 28,190 individual profiles. Read the full press release here
A reminder that if you are located in Luxembourg, Brussels, London or adjacent countries don't miss the World-Check compliance seminars from 21-23 May. There is no charge for these seminars. Check out the full details of venues and speakers here and book your place soon, as space is limited!