Millions Collected for IS: 33-Year-Old Charged in Vienna

On Tuesday, a sensational trial will begin at the Vienna Regional Court against a 33-year-old man of Chechen descent. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office accuses the defendant of having collected and managed financial resources for the terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS) on a large scale over the years – most recently in a professionally organized manner.

International Networking and Millions of Dollars

According to the indictment, which is available to the APA, the man, under the name "Abu Ashab," initially collected donations for IS members, especially women in Syrian detention camps like al-Haul and Roj, independently starting in 2018. From 2022, he is said to have founded the group "Jamaat" together with like-minded individuals from Germany, Belgium, and Turkey – whose sole aim, according to the indictment, was to procure money for IS fighters and their relatives.

Targeted donation appeals were disseminated via Telegram channels and automated chatbots. Through one channel alone, around 73.5 million US dollars (approximately 62.8 million euros) are said to have been collected by the summer of 2024 – a significant portion of which was for terrorist purposes, according to the prosecution.

Photos of Children Misused for Donation Purposes

Particularly perfidious: To deceive donors, photos of children without their mothers from IS camps were deliberately spread. The portrayal was meant to evoke sympathy and suggest a humanitarian motive. "Brother, only photos of children without mothers are taken (...)," reads a chat message from the defendant secured by investigators.

According to the indictment, the man is proven to have been centrally responsible for the group's finances. He coordinated payments and also issued instructions on the use of funds. He was supported by a female IS member based in Syria, who played a key role.

Payments Processed via Crypto Wallets

Regarding the payment modalities and particularly the specific use of the funds, "the command was with the defendant," the prosecution emphasizes in its indictment. If the group agreed on a specific project - such as the ransom of an imprisoned IS fighter - the required sum was first brought to the affected areas from Belgium, Germany, or Austria.

While initially this was still regularly done by transporting cash through Turkey to Syria or Iraq, later on, cryptocurrencies were used and the payment flows were handled via crypto wallets. The projects were completed with a completion report or in the form of a report on "Jamaat" social media channels.

7,000 US Dollars for the Release of Young Viennese Woman

One of the so-called projects run by "Jamaat" was the release of a young Viennese woman who had traveled to Syria via Istanbul in 2014 at the age of 19, joined IS there, and was interned in the al-Haul camp after the military defeat of IS. To free her in the summer of 2022, 7,000 US dollars (5,985 euros) were raised.

The accused is said to have been very committed to a prominent foreign fighter from Chechnya fighting in Syria. The man, alias "Abu Ali," is said to have been active in a leading role for IS as recently as last year, with American and British special forces actively searching for him with drones, and a bounty was allegedly offered for information leading to his capture. According to the indictment, the 33-year-old assured the financial support of his family in the event of his death. Moreover, he is said to have provided him with financial resources amounting to at least 60,000 US dollars (51,300 euros) in 2024.

The group around the Chechen living in Vienna is also said to have financed Kalashnikovs and other firearms for IS fighters. "Send them money for about 3 rifles/weapons," was one of the brief instructions from the 33-year-old.

Extensive Investigations Led to Indictment

According to authorities, the group's international activities extend beyond Austria to several EU countries and Turkey. Meetings of leading "Jamaat" members are said to have also taken place physically – for example, in August 2022 in Saxony (Germany).

In the investigation proceedings, the 33-year-old stated in essence that he had nothing to do with IS. He was neither a member of Telegram chat groups nor appeared under the pseudonym Abu Asha and did not conduct fundraising. He claimed that the Chechen community in Austria knew that he had been with the police in his homeland and therefore would not trust him.

The accused faces long prison sentences if convicted of involvement in a terrorist organization and a criminal organization. The trial is eagerly awaited.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.