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Britain
Al-Qaeda funding suspect in UK court
2006-02-11
A British citizen whose assets were frozen because of his alleged involvement in funneling money to an al Qaeda affiliate appeared in court on Friday charged with helping his younger brother to live in Britain illegally.

Mohammed Benhammedi, 39, who is described by the U.S. Treasury as a key financier for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, was arrested Wednesday at his home in Liverpool in northwest England.

He appeared before magistrates in Liverpool, northwest England, Friday, charged with two counts of breaching immigration law.

Libyan-born Benhammedi, who has lived in Britain since 1997, said he will plead not guilty.

His brother, 28-year-old Khames Benhammedi, also known as Khames Al Barhami, from Birmingham in central England, appeared at the same time charged with applying for asylum under a false name and dishonestly obtaining travel documents. He also indicated that he will plead not guilty.

Both men were remanded in custody and ordered to appear before Liverpool magistrates again on February 14., when they are expected to be sent for trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mohammed Benhammedi was one of five men, a charity and three companies named by a United Nations committee Wednesday and accused of being involved in raising funds for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, or LIFG, a group affiliated to al Qaeda.

British and U.S. authorities reacted immediately, freezing all assets belonging to the men and the organizations listed.

Benhammedi owns property across Britain through his Liverpool-based companies Sara properties Ltd. and Ozlam Properies Ltd., which were also on the United Nations list.

The other four men, all of Libyan descent, were Abd al-Rahman al-Faqih, described by the U.S. Treasury as a senior leader of LIFG who is also involved in the provision of false passports to LIFG members; Ghuma Abd'rabbah, an associate of al-Faqih and a trustee for the Sanabel charity; Abdulbaqi Mohammed Khaled and Tahir Nasuf, each described as a member of LIFG.

The U.S. Treasury also alleged the Sanabel Relief Agency Limited, with offices across Britain, provides "support to LIFG's jihadist activities." Meadowbrook Investments Limited were also listed on the order.
Posted by:Dan Darling

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