Two Belgian suspects arrested in international investigation into financing of terrorism

Three men from the Netherlands and two men from Belgium were arrested on 5 November as part of an international investigation into the financing of terrorism.

Another suspect from the Netherlands was also arrested the following day, on 6 November.

Authorities believe that the suspects are connected to a foundation, based in the Netherlands, which raised at least €200,000 to “provide assistance to war victims.”

The six suspects are believed to have travelled to Turkey and Syria in 2013 and 2014 and to have handed over money, around €130,000, to fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS).

The remaining €70,000 was likely used to finance the suspect’s travel, as well as to fund another ISIS-affiliated organisation.

As part of the investigation, Dutch and Belgian police searched 11 addresses in both central Netherlands and Belgium last week, seizing various documents and records.

The two Belgian suspects were arrested somewhere in Belgium and taken in for questioning but have since been released, according to the public prosecutor in the Netherlands, De Standaard explains.

Authorities have not yet confirmed where in Belgium the two suspects were arrested.

Source: AP