Global Crackdown on Hamas Financing Network

The Justice Department has unsealed an indictment charging Saleem Alzaq as part of a coordinated effort to dismantle a global financing network allegedly supporting Hamas. This network, which spanned multiple jurisdictions, was disrupted through the arrests of several individuals in the United States and France, according to the Justice Department.

Saleem Alzaq is accused of being at the center of this network, allegedly soliciting over a million dollars from donors in the United States to fund Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. The indictment also charges Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami, and Raed Yousef for their involvement in paying, soliciting, and collecting funds for Hamas. In France, Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid, and Nordine Barika were arrested by the French General Directorate for Internal Security as part of the same operation.

Global Effort to Disrupt Terror Financing

The arrests are part of a broader effort by international law enforcement agencies to cut off funding to Hamas. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the importance of these actions, referencing the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people. "The FBI will never forget the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023 – and we will never stop our efforts to cut off funding to Hamas terrorists," Patel said.

The network allegedly used cryptocurrency to conceal its activities, a tactic that has been increasingly employed by terrorist organizations to evade detection. The FBI, along with its interagency partners, has been working to follow the money trail and shut down resources flowing to terrorists under the guise of charitable giving.

Commitment to Justice

U. S. Attorney Jamie McDonald for the Southern District of New York emphasized the commitment to prosecuting those who finance Hamas, regardless of their location.

"As alleged, Saleem Alzaq was the center of a Hamas financing network that operated around the globe," McDonald stated. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors demonstrate a commitment to depriving Hamas of the funding it relies on to commit terror attacks.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg noted the significance of the arrests in disrupting the financial lifeblood of terrorist organizations. "Money is the lifeblood of terrorist organizations, and the arrests announced today disrupted a global financing network that was supplying Hamas with the funds needed to continue its campaign of destroying innocent lives," he said.

The Justice Department, along with the FBI and international partners, remains focused on identifying, prosecuting, and eradicating terrorist networks and those who financially support them. The coordinated arrests and charges are a testament to the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those who enable terrorist activities, ensuring justice for the victims of such attacks.