US Treasury sanctions French national over alleged Daesh financial ties

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Miloud Abderrahmane, a 34-year-old French citizen, accusing him of financially supporting the Islamic State group.

US Treasury sanctions French national over alleged Daesh financial ties

The US Department of the Treasury has placed sanctions on Miloud Abderrahmane, a French citizen aged nearly 34, suspected of providing financial assistance to members of the Islamic State (IS). The individual, who also goes by the name Ibrahim Ghazi, was named in a statement issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac), which operates under the Finance Ministry.

American authorities allege that Abderrahmane took part in exchanges directly connected to the jihadist organization, including with individuals located in Syria. More disturbingly, he stands accused of sharing sensitive technical expertise with supporters of the group.

Specifically, Abderrahmane is said to have "carried out transactions with persons known to be linked to IS, some of whom were based in Syria. He also supplied IS supporters with information regarding the production and deployment of explosives," according to the official statement. He is not the only target, however. Two additional individuals and six organizations are also being sanctioned, spread "across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa." All are suspected of playing a structural role in moving funds within the jihadist network.

For the US Treasury, these actors represent "key intermediaries enabling IS to transfer money between its regional branches." This function is viewed as essential to maintaining the group's operational capabilities, despite the military setbacks it has suffered in recent years. "IS continues to seek new methods and tools to finance attacks," stated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as quoted in the release. This warning comes as authorities fear constant adaptation by jihadist networks.

In practical terms, the sanctions entail the immediate freezing of any assets held in the United States by the targeted persons and entities. They also prohibit any American company or citizen from conducting transactions with these individuals, under threat of facing sanctions themselves. This is a standard strategy, but one that Washington considers effective for cutting off the financial flows that sustain jihadist organizations.

Source: 20 Minutes

Source: Google News LU FR