French Charity Leaders Arrested on Suspicion of Funding Hamas

The president of a humanitarian organization based in Gironde, France, was placed in pre-trial detention on Tuesday as part of an anti-terrorism investigation. Faouzi B., president of the Baraka association, and four others were charged last Friday with suspected financing of Hamas from France. The investigation centers on fundraising activities that were presented as humanitarian aid for Gaza, but investigators suspect a portion of the money was transferred to a Hamas-linked fundraiser. The five individuals, including two association presidents, face charges of "financing a terrorist enterprise," "organized breach of trust," and "money laundering of organized breach of trust in connection with a terrorist enterprise." All deny the accusations.

The preliminary investigation was opened on April 21 by the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (Pnat). The suspects were initially detained by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) before a judicial inquiry began. The Pnat requested pre-trial detention for the two association leaders. Faouzi B. requested a deferred hearing to prepare his defense before a judge ordered his incarceration. The other association president charged, Amel O. of the Ensemble C Mieux association, was placed under judicial supervision.

Both French association leaders are also under scrutiny by U.S. authorities, who placed them under sanctions on October 2, accusing them of participating in a Hamas financing scheme. According to the U.S. Treasury, Faouzi B., Amel O., and Saleem al-Zaq, described as a member of Hamas's armed wing, allegedly collected over $2 million between 2020 and 2026, with $1.5 million collected after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were reportedly transferred via cryptocurrency. French judicial authorities are continuing the investigation to determine the exact destination of the funds and the responsibilities of each suspect.