LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The US Department of Justice announced Thursday they arrested a man over his alleged fundraising for a foundation authorities say backs Hamas, the Palestinian organization Washington has designated a terrorist group.
Akram Musa Abdallah, also called Abu Saiaf, 54, of Mesa, Arizona, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of lying to authorities over his involvement in fund-raising for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which US officials say funnels money to Hamas.
According to the indictment, Abdallah was involved in fund-raising activities for the Holy Land Foundation in the Phoenix, Arizona area between 1994 and 1997.
"Abdallah knowingly and willfully made a false material statement when he represented to FBI agents that he was not involved in fund raising activities for the Holy Land Foundation," the US attorney for the Arizona district said in a statement.
"The Holy Land Foundation is an organization alleged to have provided financial support for Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization."
If convicted of lying in the case, Abdallah faces up to eight years in prison, a fine of 250,000 dollars, or both.
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