Alleged financing of Hamas: five people indicted within French associations

Five people linked to the French associations Humani’Terre and Soutien Humani’Terre were indicted, suspected of “sending funds, under the guise of humanitarian aid, to Hamas, a terrorist organization”, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) indicated this Saturday, February 21.

The accused were placed under judicial supervision, after their indictment on Friday, specifies this same source, confirming the newspaper Le Figaro. They are being prosecuted for “financing a terrorist enterprise”, “breach of trust by an organized gang” and “laundering of breach of trust by an organized gang in relation to a terrorist enterprise”.

These indictments arise from searches carried out on Monday within Humani’Terre, at the homes and offices of executives or former executives of the two associations. Two buildings, in Paris and La Courneuve (Seine-Saint-Denis), were also seized via the Agency for the Management and Recovery of Seized and Confiscated Assets (Agrasc).

A first series of searches in January 2024

It all started with a preliminary investigation opened on November 3, 2023, entrusted to the anti-terrorism section of the criminal brigade of the police headquarters, the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) and the Central Office for the Repression of Serious Financial Crime (OCRGDF).

The Humani’Terre and Soutien Humani’Terre associations, “whose social purpose is to support the Palestinian populations residing in the refugee camps in the West Bank, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip”, as well as the executives of the office of these associations, are then “suspected of sending funds, under the guise of humanitarian aid, to Hamas, a terrorist organization”, summarizes the PNAT.

A first series of searches took place on January 31, 2024 at the associations’ headquarters and at the homes of members or former members of the Humani’Terre office.

Humani’Terre suspends donation collection

Computer equipment and accounting documents “listing French, European, Palestinian and Jordanian associations recipients of funds” were then seized, according to the PNAT. Nearly 40 million euros were also confiscated, of which 35 million appeared in bank accounts or bank checks, and more than 5 million in cash at the head office of Humani’Terre, in its branches in Paris, Lille, Lyon and Marseille.

It was the exploitation of digital media seized at that time and elements obtained via international cooperation (Italy, United States, Israel) which prompted the recent searches. The investigations will now continue under the direction of three anti-terrorism investigating magistrates.

The Humani’Terre website informs of the suspension of the collection of donations following “recent events which have impacted our association”, “multiple administrative and banking obstacles”.