Singaporean man charged with sending funds to Islamic State terrorists based in Syria
A 50-year-old Singapore man was on Monday charged with providing about S$1,000 (US$740) to a member of Islamic State (Isis) to facilitate terrorist operations in Syria.
Mohamed Kazali Sallehm was arrested by Malaysian Special Branch officers in December 2018, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday. He was deported to Singapore and handed to the Internal Security Department in January 2019 for investigations into his terrorism-related activities.
Kazali was also subject to a detention order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for his support of Isis.
He was a close associate of a Syria-based Isis militant known as Akel, whose real name is Wan Mohd Aquil Wan Zainal Abidin. Akel, a Malaysian, was believed to be the most senior Isis fighter in Syria before he reportedly died in March 2019.
An investigation by the Singapore Police Force found Kazali allegedly provided money to Akel on three occasions in 2013 and 2014. Kazali allegedly handed over the cash at a bus terminal in Johor Baru, Malaysia, and transferred the sums from Western Union branches in Singapore and Malaysia. Kazali purportedly intended for these funds to be used to fund terrorism in Syria.
Providing money in support of terrorist purposes is a serious offence under Singapore’s Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act. If convicted, the detention order against Kazali will be cancelled and he will serve the sentence imposed by the court.
To prevent him spreading radical ideas to other inmates, Kazali will be held separately and continue being rehabilitated while serving his sentence, the MHA said.
“An assessment will be made at the end of his sentence whether he has been successfully rehabilitated or remains a threat to society,” the ministry said. “If he remains a threat, he may be detained further under the ISA.”
The MHA described terrorism and terrorism financing as grave threats to domestic and international security, adding that global action was needed to deprive terrorist groups of funding and materials.
“Singapore is part of this global effort and is strongly committed to combating terrorism financing, regardless of whether the monies are used to facilitate terrorist acts locally or abroad,” it said.
The ministry reminded the public not to remit money or support any terrorist organisation, or facilitate or carry out any terrorist act.
Those convicted of providing property and services for terrorist purposes may face a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000 or both.
Source: SCMP
