The Charity Commission is investigating an international aid charity over concerns about its links to a “terrorism-promoting” news outlet that has been sanctioned by the government.
It announced today that it has opened a statutory inquiry into World Aid Convoy after concerns were raised that funds were being solicited for the charity through news agency Gaza Now.
The regulator first engaged with the charity in March over concerns about its links to the news agency which “promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad”.
Its concerns related to posts shared on social media and private messaging service Telegram, which referred to the charity.
During the regulator’s engagement with the charity, the UK government froze the assets of Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayyash over suspicions that they were involved in terrorism.
The Commission’s initial engagement with the trustees led to further concerns about the charity’s management and governance, so the regulator opened a statutory inquiry in May.
Its inquiry seeks to determine what links there are between the charity and Gaza Now, if any funds have been provided to Gaza Now either directly or via partners, and if these funds can be fully accounted for.
“Any association between charities and terrorism or extremism is a very serious regulatory concern,” the Commission said in a statement.
“Such a link cannot be in the best interests of any charity and is damaging to public trust and confidence in the sector.”
Earlier this year, the Commission opened a statutory inquiry into fundraising activity by sanctioned business owner Aozma Sultana over her alleged links to Gaza Now.
Civil Society has contacted World Aid Convoy, which recorded an income of £86,500 in the year to February 2023, for comment.
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