The Australian Government has re-listed 15 persons and two entities for counter-terrorism financing sanctions, with effect from today.
Those re-listed include eight persons and one entity linked to Hamas who were first listed in response to Hamas' horrific 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel which killed around 1,200 people including Australian Galit Carbone. Our thoughts remain with Ms Carbone's loved ones and all those affected by Hamas' abhorrent acts of terror.
Eight Hamas members and operatives have been re-listed for their role in the group's covert investment network which spans multiple countries across the Middle East and Africa. They include Hamas' investment portfolio secretary, senior portfolio managers, and current and former members of Hamas' Political Bureau, at least one of whom has close ties to the Iranian regime.
Profits generated by the network are used to finance Hamas' terrorist activities, including attacks. One Sudan-based financier has terrorism links that stretch back to companies associated with Osama bin Laden.
The Australian Government has also re-listed Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company. The company is a Gaza-based money transfer business which has provided money transfers to Hamas, Islamic State and al-Qa'ida, including through the transfer of cryptocurrency.
Four re-listings target individuals involved in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) campaign of attacks and assassinations. One is a senior IRGC Quds Force commander, now based in Yemen, who has directed and funded attacks and assassinations and managed Iran's relationships with terrorist proxies including Hamas, Hizballah and the Houthis.
Australian alleged terrorist Neil Prakash, also known as Abu Khalid al-Cambodi, who departed Australia to travel to Syria in 2013 and became one of Islamic State's most prominent Australian recruiters, has been re-listed.
The re-listings also include Islamic State Sinai Province (IS-Sinai), a religiously motivated violent extremist group responsible for attacks in Egypt's North Sinai. In one 2022 attack, IS-Sinai detonated a gas pipeline after rigging it with explosives to the east of Bir Al-Abd city.
The Australian Government will continue to take action against terrorists and violent extremists around the world, including choking off access to funds that support their ability to plan attacks, recruit followers and spread fear and hatred.
Anyone who uses or deals with the assets of a listed person or entity, or makes assets available to them, is committing a criminal offence which could result in up to 10 years' imprisonment.
A Consolidated List of sanctions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website.
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