ROME: Italian prosecutors stated on Saturday (Dec 27) that they had arrested 9 folks on suspicion of financing Hamas by means of charities primarily based in Italy, in an operation coordinated by anti-mafia and anti-terrorism items.
The suspects are accused of “belonging to and having financed” the Palestinian group, which the European Union designates as a terrorist organisation, prosecutors within the northern Italian metropolis of Genoa stated in a press release.
These arrested allegedly diverted to Hamas-linked entities round 7 million euros (US$8.24 million) raised over the past two years for ostensibly humanitarian functions, prosecutors stated. Police seized belongings price greater than 9 million US {dollars}.
The investigation started after suspicious monetary transactions had been flagged and expanded by means of cooperation with Dutch authorities and different EU international locations, coordinated by means of the EU judicial company Eurojust.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the authorities for “a very complicated and vital operation” which had uncovered financing for Hamas by means of “so-called charity organisations.”
The Israeli prime minister’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Meloni’s help for Israel throughout its battle with Hamas in Gaza has triggered massive and repeated road protests in Italy.
Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed greater than 71,000 folks, in line with the enclave’s well being ministry. It was triggered by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which killed round 1,200 folks, in line with Israeli tallies.
