Senior Hamas figure in Europe, Amin Abu Rashid, will remain detained in the Netherlands at least until the next hearing, which will be held in three months. Abu Rashid was arrested about three months ago on suspicion of transferring millions of euros from Europe to the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, through a network of alleged charitable organizations.
The arrest was made after materials about Abu Rashid were exposed in an Ad Kan investigation published by Israel Hayom. The investigation revealed how, under the guise of human rights and charitable organizations, Hamas operatives in Europe work to raise funds for the terrorist organization.
The activity of Amin Abu Rashid, photo: None
A court in Rotterdam in the Netherlands held a hearing in the case of Abu Rashid, who is suspected of establishing an infrastructure for transferring funds from Europe to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip under the guise of operating a network of charitable organizations. The evidence file against the senior Hamas figure stands at more than 700 pages.
During the hearing in the case, it was revealed that Abu Rashid's real name is Ghassan. He is accused of transferring €6.5 million in cash through his Israa Foundation to a bank in Gaza and from there to Hamas. This is an offense punishable by six years in prison. Abu Rashid's lawyers asked at Tuesday's hearing to release him on health grounds. The court refused their request, and Abu Rashid will remain in detention at least until the next hearing, which will be held in three months.
The UN decided to request an opinion from the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the "Israeli occupation" (archive) // Photo: Reuters
On the other hand, Abu Rashid's daughter, who was part of the foundation's management team and was arrested along with him, has been released pending the start of their trial in March 2024.
Outside the courthouse, a demonstration was held in support of Abu Rashid calling for his release, led by the Samidoun organization, which has been declared a terrorist organization in Israel. Samidoun was joined by other Palestinian anti-Israeli organizations. The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and signs calling for a boycott of Israel.
The demonstration is part of a campaign recently exposed by Ad Kan, Samidoun and other organizations for Abu Rashid's release. During the press conference to launch the campaign, the lawyers claimed that there was no evidence against Abu Rashid, and that it was all part of a deception attempt carried out by the long arm of the State of Israel.
Ad Kan Executive Director Gilad Abel said it was an example of Hollande's determination to fight the financing of terrorism. He called on other European countries to take action against similar networks operating under humanitarian guise. "We congratulate the Dutch authorities for their determination to prosecute the sponsor of Hamas," he said. "We call on law enforcement and intelligence authorities in other Western countries to take action against terrorist organizations and anti-Semitic organizations that operate under the cover of human rights organizations, and to stop the funding that this network provides to terrorist organizations."
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