U.S. alleges Hasna worked with Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad since 2023
A Turkish man was arrested Friday in the United Kingdom on charges that he conspired to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through his senior role in what prosecutors say was a sham global humanitarian organization.
Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, of Istanbul, was ordered held pending extradition proceedings before he can be brought to New York.
The case targets an alleged international pipeline of money and supplies to Hamas, a group the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Hasna faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism and financing terrorism, prosecutors said. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald in Manhattan said Hasna worked closely with Hamas’ senior leadership to deliver supplies, food and funding to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid.
In a release, the U.S. government alleged that Hasna worked closely with senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’ governing body, since at least 2023.
It was not immediately known who would represent Hasna in the U.S.