Overview
- National anti-mafia and antiterror officials led an operation centered in Genoa that has 25 people under investigation, with 7 arrested and warrants for 2 fugitives.
- Police carried out 17 searches in multiple cities, seizing about €1.08 million in cash, including roughly €560,000 hidden in a Sassuolo garage, plus concealed computers, Hamas material and a USB with celebratory chants.
- Investigators say roughly €7 million was collected over years through charity drives and that most of it flowed to Hamas-linked entities, citing interceptions that describe funds going to the “Muqawama” and documented contacts with leaders including Ismail Haniyeh and Osama Alisawi.
- Prosecutors describe cash couriers, suitcases and aid containers moving money via Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar, fundraising in mosques through zakat, and attempts to erase data and shift operations to Turkey.
- Defense lawyers deny terror financing and question the use and admissibility of foreign military-sourced documents as device analysis continues and court interrogations are expected this week.