29 August 2002
U.S. and Italy Designate 25 New Financiers of Terror
(Will notify UN of financiers' connection to al-Qaida) (3340)
The United States and Italy are blocking the assets of 25 individuals
and groups that support terrorism and are informing the United Nations
Sanctions Committee of the connection between these entities and the
al-Qaida terrorist network, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has
announced.
"This action furthers international efforts to shut down identified
terrorist financing networks using targeted freezing actions under
domestic and international law," Treasury Under Secretary Jimmy Gurulé
said in an August 29 Treasury Department news release.
The 25 new designations include 11 individuals related to the Salafist
Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), an Algerian-based terrorist
organization that operates in North Africa and Italy. The other 14
entities are owned or controlled by either Ahmed Idris Nasreddin or
Youssef Nada, both of whom have been previously designated as
supporters of terrorism by the United States and the UN Security
Council.
The U.S.-Italy action to block the assets of these individuals and
groups is notable for being the direct result of cooperation and
collaboration among four nations -- the United States, Italy, the
Bahamas and Luxembourg -- Gurulé said.
"All four of those nations provided financial information,
investigative assistance, or key documents or support which allowed us
to make the case necessary for today's designation," he said. "Today's
action demonstrates the commitment of the international coalition to
the fight against terrorist financing."
Since September 11, the United States and other countries combined
have frozen more than $112 million in terrorist-related assets, and
234 individuals and entities are currently designated as financiers of
terror, Gurulé said.
Following is the text of his statement, followed by a Treasury
Department release listing the 25 individuals and entities affected by
the new blocking order:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of the Treasury
From the Office of Public Affairs
August 29, 2002
Statement by U.S Treasury Secretary for Enforcement Jimmy Gurulé in
Support of Today's New Terrorist Financing Designations
In a significant action in our ongoing campaign against terrorism,
today, our two nations -- the United States and Italy -- are blocking
the property of 25 individuals and entities based on their support for
terrorism. This action furthers international efforts to shut down
identified terrorist financing networks using targeted freezing
actions under domestic and international law. In accordance with
relevant United Nations procedures, we are submitting these names to
the United Nations for listing by the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee
because of the connections between these entities and individuals and
al-Qaida.
Of the 25 new designations, the 11 individuals are related to the
Salafist Group for Call and Combat ("GSPC"), a separatist faction of
the Gruppo Islamico Armato ("GIA"). The GSPC, an Algerian-based
terrorist organization that continues to operate in North Africa as
well as Italy, is a lethal terrorist group and its members support and
finance terrorism around the globe. The United States designated both
the GSPC and the GIA on September 24, 2001, and the United Nations
placed them both on the list of terrorist entities linked to al-Qaida
on October 8, 2002.
Fourteen of the 25 entities designated today are owned or controlled
by either Ahmed Idris Nasreddin or Youssef Nada. Both of these
individuals have been previously designated as supporters of terrorism
and the al-Qaida network by the United States and the international
community under U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1267, 1333 and 1390.
Today's action is another step toward shutting down the
terrorist-financing network orchestrated by Nada and Nasreddin. This
designation of additional corporate holdings will further choke the
flow of funds that facilitate the financing of terrorism.
The simultaneous blocking of the assets of these individuals and
entities by Italy and the United States demonstrates the international
commitment to choke off the sources of financing for terrorist acts.
This particular designation is also unique, in that it is the direct
result of the collaborative and cooperative efforts of not just two,
but four nations -- the United States, Italy, the Bahamas, and
Luxembourg -- working together toward a common goal.
All four of those nations provided financial information,
investigative assistance, or key documents or support -- which allowed
us to make the case necessary for today's designation.
Today's action demonstrates the commitment of the international
coalition to the fight against terrorist financing.
We are confident that our efforts are having real-world effects.
Al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations are suffering financially
as a result of our actions. We also believe that potential donors are
being more cautious about giving money to organizations where they
fear that the money might wind up in the hands of terrorists. In
addition, greater regulatory scrutiny in financial systems around the
world is further marginalizing those who would support terrorist
groups and activities.
Our top priority is to prevent terrorist attacks by disrupting
terrorist finances. As President Bush has said, we seek to "starve the
terrorists of funding." Today's joint designation with Italy
demonstrates our commitment to exposing, isolating and incapacitating
the financial infrastructure of terrorist organizations worldwide.
This action is one more measure that we and the international
community are taking to attack terrorist financing.
We have a strong history of international cooperation in freezing
terrorist-related assets. Over 160 countries have blocking orders in
force, hundreds of accounts worth more than $70 million have been
blocked abroad, and foreign law enforcement have acted swiftly to shut
down terrorist financing networks and arrest financiers. There have
been other shared initiatives. On March 11, 2002, the United States
and Saudi Arabia jointly designated two branches of a charity, and on
April 19, 2002, the G7 [Group of Seven (G-7) leading industrial
countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom,
United States] jointly designated nine individuals and one entity.
These efforts have been bolstered by actions from the European Union
which has issued three lists of designated terrorists and terrorist
groups for blocking. Since September 11th, the United States and other
countries combined have frozen more than $112 million in
terrorist-related assets. As a result of our efforts -- including
today's action -- 234 individuals and entities are currently
designated as financiers of terror.
(end Gurulé statement)
(begin Treasury news release)
U.S. Department of the Treasury
From the Office of Public Affairs
August 29, 2002
The United States and Italy Designate Twenty-Five New Financiers of
Terror
"The President's September 23rd Executive Order made plain that those
who underwrite violence bear equal culpability to those who perpetrate
it. Feigned indifference, willful blindness, and the appearance of
normalcy and status in the world of business or commerce will no
longer provide cover or safe harbor -- here or abroad. Today's action
makes clear that we are serious about shutting down any company or
organization that is in the business of supporting terrorism."
-- Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill
Today, in a significant action in our ongoing campaign against
terrorism, our two nations -- the United States and Italy -- are
blocking the assets of twenty-five individuals and entities based on
their support for terrorism. This action furthers international
efforts to shut down identified terrorist financing networks using
targeted freezing actions under domestic and international law. In
accordance with relevant United Nations procedures, we are submitting
these names to the United Nations for listing by the UN 1267 Sanctions
Committee because of the connections between these entities and
individuals and al-Qaida.
Of today's twenty-five designations, all eleven individuals are
related to the Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), a separatist
faction of the Gruppo Islamico Armato" (GIA). The GSPC, an
Algerian-based terrorist organization that continues to operate in
North Africa, Spain and Italy, is a lethal terrorist group whose
members support and finance terrorism around the globe. The United
States designated both the GSPC and the GIA on September 24, 2001, and
the United Nations placed them both on the list of terrorist entities
linked to al-Qaida on October 8, 2001.
Fourteen of the twenty-five are entities that are owned or controlled
by either Ahmed Idris Nasreddin or Youssef Nada, both of whom have
been previously designated as supporters of terrorism by the United
States and the international community under U.N. Security Council
Resolutions 1267, 1333 and 1390. These entities are part of an
extensive financial network providing support to al-Qaida and other
terrorist related organizations.
This designation of additional corporate holdings will further choke
the flow of funds that facilitate the financing of terrorism by
disrupting the sources of their funding through their financial
network.
The simultaneous blocking of the assets of these individuals and
entities by Italy and the United States demonstrates the international
commitment to choke off the sources of financing for terrorist acts.
This particular designation is also unique in that it is the direct
result of the collaborative and cooperative efforts of not just two,
but four nations -- the United States, Italy, the Bahamas, and
Luxembourg -- working together toward a common purpose. All four of
those nations provided financial information, investigative
assistance, or key documents or support -- which allowed us to make
the case necessary for today's designation.
Since September 11th, the United States and other countries have
frozen more than $112 million in terrorist-related assets. As a result
of our efforts -- including today's action -- 234 individuals and
entities are currently designated as financiers of terror.
Information About the New Designations
I. Individuals Linked to the Salafist Group for Call and Combat
Italy and the United States have concluded that each of these eleven
individuals are related to the Salafist Group for Call and Combat
(GSPC), which has supported al-Qaida activities. They are implicated
in preparing or organizing terrorist acts in the following specific
ways:
1. Adel Ben Soltane
Ben Soltane, a known member of the GSPC, has been convicted for
criminal conspiracy on the following counts: trafficking in arms,
explosives, and chemical weapons, receiving stolen goods, making and
using false documents, and for facilitating the entry of illegal
immigrants into Italy. Ben Soltane was also involved in and arrested
for the preparation of an attack against the U.S. Embassy in Rome and
for being in contact and communicating with other terrorist groups.
2. Nabil Benattia
Nabil Benattia has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with a
criminal association and he is also under indictment for conspiracy to
traffic in arms, explosives, chemical weapons and identity papers, and
also for receiving stolen goods and aiding illegal immigration.
3. Yassine Chekkouri
Yassine Chekkouri has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with
a criminal association and he is currently under arrest for conspiracy
to traffic in arms, explosives, chemical weapons and identity papers,
and also for receiving stolen goods and aiding illegal immigration.
Italian authorities report that Scotland Yard investigators believe
Chekkouri is "one of the highest" men in the al-Qaida organization.
4. Riadh Jelassi
Riadh Jelassi has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with a
criminal association as a member of the GSPC. He has been sentenced to
4 years and 6 months in prison for criminal conspiracy to traffic in
arms, receiving stolen goods, making and using false documents, and
for facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants into Italy.
5. Mehdi Kammoun
Mehdi Kammoun has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with a
criminal association as a member of the GSPC, and has been sentenced
to a 5 year and 10 month term for having organized a cell in Gallarate
tied to al-Qaida. Kammoun was also convicted for conspiracy to traffic
in arms, explosives, and chemical weapons, for receiving stolen goods,
making and using forged documents, and facilitating illegal
immigration to Italy.
6. Samir Kishk
Samir Kishk has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with
criminal association as a member of the GSPC. He has been indicted and
is under arrest for participation in a criminal conspiracy to traffic
in arms, explosives, chemical weapons, identity papers, receiving
stolen goods and aiding illegal immigration.
7. Tarek Ben Habib Maaroufi
Tarek Ben Habib Maaroufi has been charged with conspiracy of
involvement with a criminal association as a member of the GSPC, and
is wanted by Italian authorities for participating in a criminal
conspiracy to traffic in arms, explosives, weapons and identity
papers. He is under arrest in Belgium for criminal conspiracy,
criminal association (GSPC), counterfeiting identity papers, and
recruiting for a foreign army or armed force. Maaroufi is suspected of
having provided the counterfeit identity papers to one of the killers
of anti-Taliban leader Ahmed Shah Massoud.
8. Abdelhalim Remadna
Abdelhalim Remadna has been charged with conspiracy of involvement
with criminal association and is under arrest for participation in a
criminal conspiracy to traffic in arms, explosives, chemical weapons,
identity papers, receiving stolen goods, and aiding illegal
immigration. Italian authorities have indicated that they have proof
of direct telephone contact between Remadna and Abu Jaafar, who is
considered to be the number three leader within al-Qaida. Remadna is
also identified by the Italian authorities as being an aide to Es
Sayed, a previously designated SDGT.
9. Mansour Thaer
Mansour Thaer has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with
criminal association and is under arrest in Germany. Thaer has been
investigated in Italy for his links with a terrorist cell and for
participation in a criminal conspiracy to traffic in arms, explosives,
chemical weapons, identity papers, receiving stolen goods and aiding
illegal immigration.
10. Lazhar Ben Mohammed Tlili
Lazhar Ben Mohammed Tlili has been charged with conspiracy of
involvement with criminal association and is wanted by Italian
authorities for his participation in a criminal conspiracy to traffic
in arms, explosives, chemical weapons, identity papers, receiving
stolen goods and aiding illegal immigration.
11. Habib Waddani
Habib Waddani has been charged with conspiracy of involvement with a
criminal association as a member of the GSPC. He has been indicted for
participating in a criminal conspiracy to traffic in arms, explosives,
chemical weapons, identity papers, receiving stolen goods and aiding
illegal immigration.
II. Nada/Nasreddin Network
Based on information available to Italy and the United States, Youssef
Nada ("Nada") and Ahmed Idris Nasreddin ("Nasreddin"), through
commercial holdings, operate an extensive financial network providing
support for terrorist related activities. In the case of Nada and
Nasreddin, this involves an extensive conglomeration of businesses
from which they derive their income or through which they conduct
transactions. Based on evidence of their support of terrorism, Nada
and Nasreddin were previously designated by the international
community as financiers of terror. Nada was designated by the United
States on November 7, 2001, and by the United Nations on November 9,
2001. Nasreddin was designated by the G7 on April 19, 2002, and by the
United Nations on April 24, 2002. Nasreddin's corporate holdings and
financial network provide direct support for Nada and Bank Al Taqwa,
which was also previously designated by the United States on November
7, 2001, and the United Nations on November 9, 2001. This designation
of fourteen additional entities owned or controlled by either Nada or
Nasreddin will further restrict their assets and their network by
precluding these companies from being used to provide funding or
support for terrorism.
Nasreddin and Nada, who have worked closely together for many years,
are both directors of Bank Al Taqwa and Akida Bank. Nada holds a
controlling interest in Bank Al Taqwa and Nasreddin holds a
controlling interest in Akida Bank. Bank Al Taqwa and Akida Bank are
not functional banking institutions in the conventional sense. They
are shell companies lacking a physical presence and sharing the same
address in the Bahamas where they were licensed. For this reason the
licenses of Bank Al Taqwa and Akida Bank have been revoked by the
Bahamian government.
Bank Al Taqwa, for which Nasreddin is a director, was established in
1988 with significant backing from the Muslim Brotherhood. They have
been involved in financing radical groups such as the Palestinian
Hamas, Algeria's Islamic Salvation Front and Armed Islamic Group,
Tunisia's An-Nahda, and Usama bin Laden and his al-Qaida organization.
Bank Al Taqwa was established in the Bahamas and is a close affiliate
of the Al Taqwa Management Organization, which changed its name in the
spring of 2000 to the Nada Management Organization. In 1997, it was
reported that the $60 million collected annually for Hamas was moved
to Bank Al Taqwa accounts. As of October 2000, Bank Al Taqwa appeared
to be providing a clandestine line of credit to a close associate of
Usama bin Laden and as of late September 2001, Usama bin Laden and his
al-Qaida organization received financial assistance from Youssef M.
Nada.
Nada and Nasreddin own or control a number of business entities
through direct ownership, control, or in cooperation with each other.
Fourteen of these entities are being designated in furtherance of the
prior designations of these two individuals to disrupt their use of
assets under their ownership or control that could be used to finance
terrorist activities.
12. Akida Bank Private Limited
Nasreddin, who serves as Akida Bank's president, also serves on the
board of directors of Akida Bank along with Youssef Nada. According to
corporate documents, the Nasreddin Foundation, an entity proposed for
designation, owns an overwhelming majority of shares of Akida Bank,
affording Ahmed Idris Nasreddin and the Nasreddin Foundation ownership
and control of Akida Bank.
13. Akida Investment Co. Ltd.
Akida Investment Co. Ltd. was incorporated in the Bahamas in March
2001. Corporate documents indicate that as of April 2001, all of the
assets and liabilities of Akida Bank Private Limited have been
transferred to Akida Investment Company.
14. Nasreddin Group International Holding Limited
According to corporate documents, Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nasreddin Group International
Holding Limited. In addition, Nasreddin Group International Holding
Limited is one of the few entities with which Akida Bank conducts
business.
15. Nasco Nasreddin Holding A.S.
Fully 67.5 percent of the outstanding voting capital of Nasco
Nasreddin Holding A.S. is owned by Nasreddin International Group
Limited Holding, an entity owned or controlled by Nasreddin. In
addition, Nasreddin also holds 1.875% of the voting capital in his own
name. Nasco Nasreddin Holding A.S. is an affiliate of Akida Bank.
16. Nascotex S.A.
Nasreddin is the Chief Executive of Nascotex S.A., which is also an
affiliate of Akida Bank and one of a few entities with which Akida
Bank conducts business.
17. Nasreddin Foundation
According to corporate documents from 2000, the Nasreddin Foundation
owns a vast majority of shares of Akida Bank, affording Ahmed Idris
Nasreddin and the Nasreddin Foundation ownership and control of Akida
Bank. Although the Nasreddin Foundation (a.k.a. Nasreddin Stiftung)
has been dissolved since at least 1993, the company, or at least its
name, has been used in business transactions as recently as 2000.
18. Ba Taqwa for Commerce and Real Estate Company Limited
Youssef Nada and Ali Ghaleb Himmat, both persons designated by the
United States on November 7, 2001, and by the United Nations on
November 9, 2001, are identified as principals of Ba Taqwa for
Commerce and Real Estate Company Limited.
19. Miga-Malaysian Swiss, Gulf and African Chamber
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is identified as the President of Miga-Malaysian
Swiss, Gulf and African Chamber, and exercises sole signatory
authority on behalf of the organization.
20. Gulf Center S.R.L.
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is the Sole Administrator of Gulf Center S.R.L.
21. Nascoservice S.R.L.
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is the Sole Administrator of Nascoservice S.R.L.
22. NASCO Business Residence Center SAS Di Nasreddin Ahmed Idris EC
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is identified as the unlimited partner of NASCO
Business Residence Center.
23. Nasreddin Company Nasco SAS Di Ahmed Idris Nasreddin EC
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin is the unlimited partner of Nasreddin Company
Nasco SAS Di Ahmed Idris Nasreddin EC.
24. Nada International Anstalt
Youssef Nada and Ali Ghaleb Himmat, both persons designated by the
United States on November 7, 2001, and by the United Nations on
November 9, 2001, are identified as principals of Nada International
Anstalt.
25. Nasreddin International Group Limited Holding
Ahmed Idris Nasreddin was an original member of the Board of Directors
of Nasreddin International Group Limited Holding when the company was
founded in 1977. Since the late 1980s the company has been
administered by a holding company though the company still bears
Nasreddin's name. Nasreddin International Group Limited Holding is an
affiliate of Akida Bank.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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