Asset freeze, travel ban vs 4 suspected al-Qaeda members lifted

Manila, Philippines - Four suspected members of the al-Qaeda terror network have been removed from the list of the United Nations’ Security Council al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, effectively lifting the asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo imposed against them, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) informed Philippine financial firms in a circular issued Friday.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular Letter No. 2012-052 listed the four that were scratched from the list were Tunisians Mounir Ben Habib Ben Al-Taher Jarraya, Fethi Ben Al-Rabei Ben Absha Mnasri, Kamal Ben Mohamed Ben Ahmed Darraji and Libyan-Irish Ibrahim Abdul Salam Mohamed Boyasseer,

“The (AMLC) resolved to inform all covered institutions of the deletion of the following names from the al-Qaeda Sanctions List of Individuals and Entities subject to asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo,” the circular added.

According to the UN Security Council website, the persons were deleted from the list after “consideration of delisting requests” submitted to its Ombudsperson, who undertakes investigation with regard to applications asking to lift the sanctions.

The four were removed from the al-Qaeda sanctions list last May 2, 4 and 8 of this year.

On June 17, 2011, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1989 providing for a consolidated list that would include names of individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with al-Qaeda.

Personalities and entities listed will suffer a freeze of their financial assets and other funds, a travel ban and an arms embargo.

After evaluation, the Ombudsperson will forward his or her recommendation to the al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee under the UN Security Council.

As of June 15, 28 delisting applications were submitted before the committee, 15 of which were already acted upon, resulting in 13 delisting, one withdrawal of application and one still being considered.

On the other hand, the AMLC, by virtue of the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, has the “authority to assist the United Nations and other international organizations and foreign states.”

It is in this light that it disseminates the UN Security Council decision for information of local financial entities, the circular stated.

The al-Qaeda terror network is founded by Osama bin Laden and is believed to have links with the Jemaah Islamiyah, which has masterminded bombing operations in Southeast Asia such as the bombings in Bali, Indonesia in 2002 and 2005.

In May of last year, bin Laden was killed by American special forces in Pakistan in what was seen as the world’s greatest victory in its fight against terrorism.

Also, just last month, a member of the group, Umar Patek, was sentenced by an Indonesian court for his participation in the 2002 Bali bombing.

The Jemaah Islamiyah is believed to have connections with the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao by providing them training and weapons.