Qatar channelled millions of dollars to al-Nusra Front in Syria: Report
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Alaina
- . June 4, 2021
- . Update: June 9, 2021 6:48 pm
Qatar has allegedly sent millions of dollars to al-Nusra Front in Syria. As per a report by The Times of Friday, a claim has been filed by nine unidentified Syrians in the commercial division of the UK High Court, accusing the Qatari state of participating in the laundering of millions of dollars to the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front.
The claim alleged that a private office of the Gulf state’s monarch played a central role in the illegal funneling of money to al-Nusra Front.
In the claim, the nine Syrians have lodged damages against two Qatari banks, a number of businessmen, charities, politicians, and civil servants, among other defendants for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy. According to The Times, two of the defendants include former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani and Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri, owner of Ritz Hotel in London.
Responding to the development, legal representatives of the defendants named in the case have reportedly denied the accusations.
Read more : Qatar provided military support of $ 500 million to Gaza terrorist groups, Hamas leader thanks
The claimants have alleged that each defendant has had a role in the illegal transfer of funds to the al-Qaeda-linked organisation on behalf of the Qatari state. The task was carried out in coordination with Muslim Brotherhood through secret meetings in Turkey. Furthermore, the funds were channeled by expanding construction contracts and property prices along with increased payments to migrant workers from Syria.
As per The Times report, the nine Syrian claimants have alleged that they suffered massive “financial losses, torture, arbitrary detention, threats of execution and other forms of persecution” at the hands of the al-Nusra Front. Further details are awaited. Reportedly, Qatari funding to the al-Nusra Front has increased in recent times. Several pieces of evidence have emerged over time, confirming Qatar’s role in terror financing.
In August 2019, The Times exposed Qatar-based Doha Bank for allegedly transferring huge amounts of money to the al-Qaeda affiliate with the help of two Syrian Qatari brothers and managers of an international construction company, Urbacon Trading & Contracting.
