Key facts
- Anas Altikriti, CEO of the Cordoba Foundation, had his bank accounts cancelled by HSBC in 2014.
- The Cordoba Foundation was listed as 'terrorism' on the World-Check database, with the UAE as the source of the claim.
- An ITV News investigation revealed the UAE allegedly hired a mercenary for covert surveillance against Altikriti in the UK.
- Altikriti, a British citizen, received a police warning of imminent danger but no protection or details.
- The UAE is a significant trading partner and investor in the UK.
Anas Altikriti, chief executive of the Cordoba Foundation, has faced significant repercussions, including the cancellation of his bank accounts and alleged covert surveillance, which critics attribute to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Altikriti, a British citizen, discovered in 2014 that HSBC had closed his bank account of 30 years, citing it fell 'outside our risk appetite.' His wife and sons also had their accounts cancelled. Investigations revealed that the Cordoba Foundation was listed as 'terrorism' on the World-Check database, a claim sourced to the UAE, which had proscribed the group. The UAE has faced accusations of money laundering and human rights abuses, and has been linked to sponsoring the Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan.
Further revelations from an ITV News investigation indicated that the UAE allegedly hired a mercenary to conduct covert surveillance on Altikriti in Britain. Despite receiving an 'Osman notice' from police indicating imminent danger, Altikriti was reportedly offered no protection or details about the threat. He has never been charged with a crime and maintains he has abided by British law.
Academics and experts have criticized the UAE's actions as 'rogue state behaviour' and transnational repression, questioning its reliability as a partner for the UK. Despite these concerns, the British government considers the UAE a close ally, citing its position as the largest Middle Eastern trading partner and a significant investor in Britain. The article suggests that the UK government's response to allegations of UAE complicity in Sudan, where ministers avoided naming the Emirates, highlights a morally questionable alignment.