Key facts
- Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, of Istanbul, Turkey, was arrested in the UK.
- He faces U.S. charges including conspiring to provide material support to Hamas and financing terrorism.
- Prosecutors allege Hasna used a sham global humanitarian organization to funnel money and supplies to Hamas.
- He is accused of coordinating directly with senior Hamas leadership, including Ghazi Hamad.
- Hasna is being held pending extradition proceedings to the U.S.
A Turkish national, Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, has been arrested in the United Kingdom on charges filed in the U.S. alleging he conspired to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through his senior role in what prosecutors describe as a sham global humanitarian organization. Hasna, of Istanbul, was ordered held pending extradition proceedings to New York.
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald stated that Hasna worked closely with Hamas's senior leadership, including Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas's governing body, since at least 2023. The charges include conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism, and financing terrorism, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The U.S. government designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg noted that money from such charities fuels Hamas's terrorist activities, including the atrocities committed on October 7. Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division added that Hasna allegedly coordinated closely with Hamas leadership, knowing the resources were intended for the group rather than needy civilians.