GOS SUGGESTED COOPERATION WITH U.S. ON TERRORISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002248 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS (LLAMBERT),S/CT (TKHUSHNER),IO/PSC (BFITZGERALD) STATE PASS NSC (MRUPPERT),TREASURY (JZARATE) AND OFAC (RWERNER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2015 TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER ETTC PREL ADPM SP SUBJECT: GOS SUGGESTED COOPERATION WITH U.S. ON TERRORISM FINANCE CASE REF: MADRID 02082 Classified By: Economic Counselor Whitney Baird; reason 1.4 (B) ¶1. (C) During the first official meeting of the U.S.-Spain Bilateral Counterterrorism Experts Working Group on May 16-20 in Madrid (reftel),Spanish judicial officials proposed a joint investigation into the finances of the Islamic Cultural Center. The Center is a prominent Islamic institution located in Madrid and is affiliated with the M-30 Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Europe. The Spaniards have provided information on financial transactions conducted by this institution to the FBI. The Spanish investigation and report was conducted by Spain's Financial Intelligency Unit (SEPLAC) and is of detailed and high quality. A copy of the report will be sent to EB by classified pouch (it is in Spanish). U.S. law enforcement agencies are reviewing the report to see whether there is a basis for judicial action in the U.S. as well as in Spain. Irrespective of whether there is a basis for judicial action in the U.S., the GOS intends to pursue the case in Spain, and the FBI will provide Spanish authorities with investigative assistance. ¶2. (C) There are numerous institutions and individuals mentioned in the report. The FIU summarizes the case in the following way. Money was transferred from the Saudi American Bank through bank checks to the Islamic Center in Madrid. The Center's director is Saleh Ben Mohammed Al Sonaidi, who has power of attorney. Money was also transferred from the Saudi Embasssy in Madrid to Lloyds TSB and then by check to the Muslim World League, which in turn transferred money to the Islamic Center in Madrid. The Center thereafter provided money to companies, individuals and religious/cultural associations. The Islamic Suhail Fuengirola Commuity received money, which in turn transferred money to Mohamend Kamal Mostafa. The Islamic Community of Alicante got funds which it transferred to Mohamed Mohamed Zebdeh. The Valencia Islamic Cultural Center also received funds, which in turn provided money to Habib Kolsi. Hicham Temsamani Jad got money directly from the Center. The individuals mentioned here were detained and investigated, although the report does not specify whether they are still being held. There are other entities and persons named in the report. ¶3. C) Comment: This is the first Spanish investigation into an Islamic charity that the Embassy is aware of. Whatever it else it may signify, it certainly demonstrates that SEPLAC is capable of high quality work. We will be following this case closely and continue to offer appropriate assistance. MANZANARES