ED Conducts Searches in Bengaluru Over ISIS Radicalisation Funding Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in and around Bengaluru on July 21 as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the radicalisation of youth for the banned terrorist group ISIS, officials said.
The searches, covering eight locations, were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) concerning ISIS recruitment activities involving the Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind, and certain individuals.
The NIA has filed a chargesheet against five individuals, alleging they were affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation ISIS/ISIL/Daesh and conspired to radicalise and motivate impressionable Muslim youth in Bengaluru to join the group. According to the chargesheet, the accused identified, radicalised, and recruited youths through a Muslim 'personality development' workshop named 'Iqra Camp' and a weekly study circle called 'Quran Circle' that evolved from it. They are also accused of raising and channelling funds to facilitate the illegal travel of recruits to Syria via Turkiye to join ISIS and fight against the Syrian government.
The NIA chargesheet characterises these acts as 'waging war against Syria, an Asiatic Power in alliance with the Government of India.' The ED further alleged that the group exploited sentiments around the anti-CAA/NRC protests to incite Muslims against non-Muslims and to spread ISIS ideology through secure social-media platforms.
The accused raised funds from individuals, trusts, and their own savings to facilitate the illegal travel of Muslim youths to fight for ISIS, the ED said.
