by Hayley Dixon, Telegraph
Arrested head of £74m foundation accused of bankrolling terror group under guise of aid
A British Muslim charity has been used to bankroll Hamas, the FBI has said.
The Al-Khair Foundation, one of Britain’s biggest Muslim charities, was used as a front to send money and “truckloads” of goods to leaders of the terrorist organisation in Gaza under the guise of aid, it is alleged.
Mohammad Yousef Hasna, its “global director”, was arrested in London last week and is now facing extradition to the United States, accused of financing and conspiring to support the Palestinian terror group.
The Al-Khair Foundation, a registered UK charity and partner of the UN’s refugee agency, had an income of £74m last year alone. As well as aid work, it runs Islamic schools in Britain and abroad and has worked closely with the Government, including being quoted in a government press release on a new scheme combatting hate against Muslims.
In the last five years it has claimed more than £9m from HMRC in Gift Aid, the tax relief scheme that allows charities to claim back tax on eligible donations.