Overview
- Anti-mafia and anti-terrorism units detained nine suspects on Dec. 27 after tracing about €7 million allegedly diverted from three Italy-based charities.
- Police say more than €8 million in assets were frozen and seized during searches linked to the Genoa-led investigation.
- Prosecutors identify Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, as a central figure and describe him as leading a Hamas cell in the country.
- Investigators report that over 71% of donations went to Hamas-linked entities and that some funds reached relatives implicated in attacks.
- The suspects face accusations of financing and belonging to Hamas, which the EU lists as a terrorist organization, and no public statements from the defendants were reported.