Police officers are investigating potential terrorism funding allegations linked to a Croydon-based international development charity.
Last week, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Al-Khair Foundation and restricted its spending as the regulator looks into an allegation that the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas and had funded the organisation.
This followed the charity submitting a serious incident report after an employee of one of its implementing partner organisations overseas, Mohammad Yousef Hasna, was detained during a visit to the UK on 31 July on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London has now confirmed it too is investigating concerns in relation to the charity and carried out two searches at Croydon properties on 31 July.
“No arrests have been made in connection with this investigation. Enquiries are ongoing and we also remain in contact with the Charity Commission in relation to this matter,” a CTP London spokesperson said.
“We are also aware of an arrest and investigation led by US authorities into allegations against a UK-based individual linked to funding of a terrorist organisation.
“The FBI are leading the investigation in relation to that individual, although CTP London remain in contact with colleagues in the US over this matter.”
The US Department of Justice published a press release on 31 July announcing Hasna’s arrest in the UK, describing him as the global director of an unnamed “sham charity”.
The Al-Khair Foundation has emphasised that Hasna was employed by one of its implementing partner organisations, not the charity itself.
In a statement on Friday, it pledged to cooperate with the commission and other relevant authorities as they investigate concerns and to take “remedial action if needed”.
The charity said it was “firmly committed to ensuring that the funds entrusted to us by our generous donors are used for their intended purpose: meeting the humanitarian needs of poor and marginalised people in the communities we serve”.
“In Gaza and around the world we work hard to maintain robust governance, compliance and oversight processes designed to help ensure that aid reaches its intended beneficiaries,” it said.
The Al-Khair Foundation has been approached for further comment.
