Via CBS New York (Sept 15, 2010) -
A New York man was arrested Wednesday on charges that he unwittingly funded a Connecticut man’s attempt to bomb Times Square on May 1 by providing unlicensed banking services, an arrest that continues an effort by federal authorities to reduce the illegal flow of money that can finance terrorism.
Mohammad Younis, 44, was accused in an indictment in U.S. District Court in Manhattan of engaging in hawala activities, an informal banking system which relies on wire transfers, couriers and overnight mail. He was arrested at his Long Island home and brought to the courthouse, where he was expected to make an initial appearance. It was not immediately clear who would represent him in court.
A release issued by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Younis provided thousands of dollars in cash on April 10 to two individuals who traveled from Connecticut and New Jersey to meet him on Long Island at the direction of a coconspirator in Pakistan. Authorities said one of the individuals was Faisal Shahzad, who has pleaded guilty to 10 terrorism and weapons counts in connection with the attempted bombing. He is awaiting sentencing.
The release said there were no allegations that Younis was aware of the intended use of the funds.
“By engaging in the alleged conduct, Mohammad Younis unwittingly funded a terror plot that, if successful, would have caused mass casualties in New York City,” Bharara said. “These charges remind us how international terrorists use the cover of informal money transfer systems to avoid detection and to inflict catastrophic harm.”
Younis was charged with conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business between Pakistan and the United States and conspiracy to do so. Both charges carry a potential of up to five years in prison.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wikipedia - Hawala: How Hawala Works
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawala#How_Hawala_works
No comments:
Post a Comment