ROME: Italian prosecutors mentioned on Saturday (Dec 27) that they had arrested 9 individuals on suspicion of financing Hamas by charities based mostly 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 mentioned in a press release.
These arrested allegedly diverted to Hamas-linked entities round 7 million euros (US$8.24 million) raised during the last two years for ostensibly humanitarian functions, prosecutors mentioned. Police seized belongings price greater than 9 million US {dollars}.
The investigation started after suspicious monetary transactions have been flagged and expanded by cooperation with Dutch authorities and different EU international locations, coordinated by the EU judicial company Eurojust.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the authorities for “a very advanced and vital operation” which had uncovered financing for Hamas by “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 warfare with Hamas in Gaza has triggered giant and repeated road protests in Italy.
Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed greater than 71,000 individuals, based on 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 individuals, based on Israeli tallies.
