A San Diego resident used to be arrested on suspicion of elevating masses of hundreds of greenbacks for Hamas via fundraising campaigns that seemed to be humanitarian assist efforts for citizens of the Gaza Strip, america Justice Division introduced Wednesday.
Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, of San Diego, California, used to be charged in a five-count legal criticism with terrorism, sanctions evasion, cord fraud, cash laundering, and making false statements, consistent with the Justice Division.
Sabassi used to be arrested Tuesday and seemed earlier than US Justice of the Peace Pass judgement on Steve B. Chu within the Southern District of California. If convicted, he may face important jail phrases. Each and every of the 4 fees carries a most sentence of two decades in jail.
In step with the criticism, Sabassi allegedly operated social media accounts, crowdfunding internet sites, and a purported charity known as Ikram – The Arab Charity Basis Inc. Via them, prosecutors stated, he solicited donations from all over the world, together with from US electorate, whilst claiming that the finances had been meant to supply humanitarian assist within the Gaza Strip. In apply, prosecutors alleged, the cash used to be meant to fortify Hamas.
Courtroom paperwork allege that between December 2023 and February 2024, Sabassi raised roughly $600,000. Of that quantity, he allegedly despatched roughly $116,000 to a Hamas member and tried to transform roughly $382,000 into cryptocurrency as a way to switch the finances to Hamas via Gaza Now, a Hamas-linked fundraising group.
J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Development WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 3: A Division of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation signal is displayed out of doors of the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation construction on June 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. (credit score: Kevin Carter/Getty Pictures)Sabassi publicly expressed fortify for Hamas on social media
Investigators additionally alleged that Sabassi publicly expressed fortify for Hamas on social media. Amongst different issues, he allegedly created an hour-long propaganda video in regards to the October 7, 2023, Hamas bloodbath and posted it to no less than two social media accounts that he managed, together with round the second one anniversary of the bloodbath.
The criticism additional alleges that during non-public conversations with one in every of his co-conspirators, the 2 joked about naming the fundraising marketing campaign after the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s army wing, earlier than in the long run deciding to make use of the identify of Sabassi’s charity, Ikram.
Assistant Legal professional Normal for Nationwide Safety John A. Eisenberg stated Sabassi allegedly exploited the October 7 assaults as a way to draw donors to fraudulent “humanitarian” reasons.
“He allegedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through this scheme, which he then funneled to Hamas to help finance that group’s terror and violence and to line his own pockets,” Eisenberg stated.
US Legal professional says Hamas had promoted assaults in opposition to america and murdered dozens of American citizens in acts of terrorism
US Legal professional Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York stated Hamas had promoted assaults in opposition to america and murdered dozens of American citizens in acts of terrorism.
“Our arrest of Reda Sabassi demonstrates our whole-of-government commitment to prosecute those who provide financial support to a malign terrorist regime that hates America,” Clayton stated.
The FBI additionally wired the severity of the allegations.
“The defendant allegedly claimed to be raising money for charity but was actually funding the terrorist organization Hamas and also lining his own pockets,” stated Donald Holstead, assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Department.
The Justice Division stated the fees are accusations and that Sabassi is presumed blameless except confirmed responsible in court docket.
