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