3 men indicted in U.S. on charges of Hamas-financing plan

[Gimel]

By The Associated Press



WASHINGTON - Three Palestinian activists, including a political leader for the Hamas militant group, were indicted in Chicago on charges they participated in a lengthy racketeering conspiracy to provide money for terrorist acts in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, U.S. officials said Friday.

The three activists allegedly used bank accounts in the United States to launder millions of dollars to support Hamas, which the U.S. government has designated as a terrorist organization. The indictment against the three was unsealed Friday.

The activists include Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, formerly chief and now deputy chief of the Hamas political bureau. Marzook was believed to be living in Syria, and authorities said they have issued a warrant for Marzook's arrest.

The others were identified as Muhammad Hamid Khalil Salah of Chicago and Abdelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar of Alexandria, Virginia. Authorities said both men were arrested late Thursday night.

Continued..