GOI OPPOSES DELISTING SEVEN TRANCHE 3 NAMES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001405 SENSITIVE SIPDIS IO/PSC FOR ECROWE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2019 TAGS: EFIN IT KTFN PREL PTER UNSC SUBJECT: GOI OPPOSES DELISTING SEVEN TRANCHE 3 NAMES REF: A. STATE 109494 ¶B. ROME 1344 Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor George White for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Upon further review by Italian police and intelligence agencies (reftel Rome 1344 and State 109494), Italy opposes delisting seven Tranche 3 names. However, the GOI supports delisting two Tranche 3 names and asks the USG for support in expediting the delisting of one individual. End summary. ¶2. (C) According to an official responsible for counter-terrorism in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) the GOI, after a thorough review of the individuals recommended for delisting in Tranche 3, opposes delisting the following five individuals: Mohamed Amine Akli (QI.A.91.03), Chileb Ben Mohamed Ben Mokhtar Al-Ayari (QI.A.93.03),Faouzi Ben Mohamed Ben Mokhtar Al Jendoubi (QI.A.101.03),Chabaane Ben Mohamed Ben Mohamed Al-Trabelsi (QI.A.178.04),and Mohamed Ben Mohamed Ben Khalifa Abdelhedi (QI.A.173.04). The GOI believes that these individuals have been and still are connected with terrorist activities. ¶3. (C) The official stated that the GOI opposes delisting the following two individuals, although listed as 'reportedly deceased', because no "hard evidence" of their deaths exists and legal actions have been taken against them in the Italian courts since the time of their reported deaths: Lofti Ben Abdul Hamid Ben Ali Al-Rihani (QI.A.145.03) and Abd El Kader Mahmoud Mohamed El Sayed (QI.E.65.02). ¶4. (SBU) The GOI, according to the official, supports delisting the following two entities: Nada International Anstalt (QE.N.79.02) and Ba Taqwa for Commerce and Real Estate Company Ltd (QE.B.76.02). ¶5. (SBU) The GOI requests that the USG assist in expediting the delisting of Mohamed el Mahfoudi (QI.E.175.04) (reftel Rome 1344). ¶6. (SBU) After a thorough review of the eighteen names (reftel State 109494) submitted to the MFA as sponsored or co-sponsored by Italy, the official states that the GOI is unaware of the following individual and did not sponsor or co-sponsor him: Ahmad Sa'id Al-Kadr (Khedr) (QI.K.4.01). ¶7. (C) In addition, the official stated that the GOI will be submitting two names for listing under UNSCR 1267: Lamine Ahmed Nacer and Rabah Bouras. Both individuals are suspected to be members of the "Salafist Group for Call and Combat" (QE.T.14.01) and are currently fugitives from justice. THORNE