Skip to main content

French prosecutors target alleged charity-terror links

1 min Edward Finkelstein

Five individuals linked to two French associations have been charged in France on suspicion of channeling funds to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) said Saturday.

Major crackdown on suspected Hamas financing © Mena Today 

Major crackdown on suspected Hamas financing © Mena Today 

Five individuals linked to two French associations have been charged in France on suspicion of channeling funds to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) said Saturday.

The suspects, connected to the organizations Humani’Terre and Soutien Humani’Terre, were placed under judicial supervision following their indictment on Friday. They face charges including financing a terrorist organization, organized breach of trust, and money laundering linked to terrorist activity.

The investigation began with a preliminary probe opened in November 2023 and led by France’s anti-terror brigade, the domestic intelligence agency (DGSI), and the financial crime unit. Authorities suspect the associations — which officially aim to support Palestinian populations in refugee camps in the West Bank, Lebanon, and Gaza — of diverting humanitarian funds to Hamas.

Searches carried out earlier this year led to the seizure of computer equipment, financial records, and nearly €40 million in assets. Two properties in the Paris region were also confiscated.

According to prosecutors, the latest developments stem from the analysis of seized digital material and information obtained through international cooperation with Italy, the United States, and Israel.

The investigation will now continue under the supervision of three anti-terrorism investigative judges.

Edward Finkelstein

Edward Finkelstein

From Athens, Edward Finkelstein covers current events in Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. He has over 15 years of experience reporting on these countries. He is a specialist in terrorism issues

Related

Iran

Russia’s role in Iran’s growing war machine

Russia has secretly helped Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles, in what the Financial Times describes as one of the most significant known transfers of strategic military technology from Moscow to Tehran, according to an investigation published Wednesday.

Turkey

Erdogan signals Turkey's interest in full SCO membership

NATO member Turkey would consider taking its relations with the China and Russia-led security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to a higher level, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Iran

The lull is over: US and Iran strike each other again

The U.S. and Iran found themselves back in a war footing on Wednesday after the most significant exchange in weeks, with Washington threatening even more devastating strikes while Iran protested an attack that it said killed five and wounded dozens of civilians at a wedding.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.