US and French Authorities Arrest Suspects in Hamas Fundraising Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday the unsealing of an indictment against Saleem Alzaq and the arrests of three U.S. residents for allegedly soliciting and providing funds to Hamas. In a coordinated international effort, French security authorities also arrested three of Alzaq’s associates in France.

According to federal court filings across New York, Louisiana, and Florida, Alzaq is a Hamas member based in Gaza who served in the media and propaganda operations of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Prosecutors allege that since at least January 2020, Alzaq ran an international fundraising network that raised more than $1.7 million through social media campaigns purportedly organized for humanitarian aid in Gaza, while diverting the funds to Hamas.

Three individuals based in the United States were arrested in connection with the network. Omar Adhami, 33, and Abdel Adhami, 35, both of Covington, Louisiana, were charged in the Eastern District of Louisiana with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. Court documents allege Abdel Adhami provided approximately $94,000 and Omar Adhami contributed roughly $11,000 using wire transfers and intermediaries.

In Florida, Raed Yousef, 56, of Lutz, was charged in the Middle District of Florida with multiple counts including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, money laundering, and passport fraud after allegedly providing nearly $50,000 to the network.

In France, the French General Directorate for Internal Security arrested Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid, and Nordine Barika for their alleged roles in assisting Alzaq with collecting and transferring funds.

Alzaq faces multiple charges in the Southern District of New York, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, money laundering, and defrauding the United States.

The investigations involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York Police Department, the DOJ National Security Division, and French law enforcement partners. Authorities emphasized that the indictments and complaints represent allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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