ID

34438

Etiquetas

KTFN, EFIN, PTER, ETTC, PREL, ADPM, SP, Counterterrorism

Fecha

2005-06-10 15:41:00

RefID

05MADRID2248

Origen

Embassy Madrid

Clasificación

CONFIDENTIAL

Destino

05MADRID2082

Encabezado

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

Contenido

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002248

SIPDIS

@ELIMINADO@

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2015

TAGS: KTFN, EFIN, PTER, ETTC, PREL, ADPM, SP, Counterterrorism

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 @ELIMINADO@ through bank checks to the Islamic Center in Madrid.

The Center's director is @ELIMINADO@, who

has power of attorney. Money was also transferred from the

@ELIMINADO@ in Madrid to @ELIMINADO@ and then by check to

the@ELIMINADO@, 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 @ELIMINADO@. The Islamic Community of Alicante got funds

which it transferred to @ELIMINADO@. The Valencia

Islamic Cultural Center also received funds, which in turn

provided money to @ELIMINADO@. @ELIMINADO@ 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;"