EU Freezes Funds of Political Leader of Hamas & Bans a Member of Al Shabab From Entering the Bloc

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• EU has decided to freeze the funds of the political leader of Hamas.
• The same authority has also banned a member of Al Shabab from entering the EU.
• EU has committed to protecting peace and security by imposing restrictions whenever needed.

The Council of the European Union has decided to add two people to its sanctions lists, freezing the funds of one and banning the other from entering EU territory.

According to the Council, the political leader of Hamas, Yahia Sinouar, had been added to the EU terrorist list.

The decision of the EU to add Sinouar to the terrorist list is part of the EU’s reaction to the threat posed by Hamas and its attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.

The sanctions against Sinouar became effective as of today, January 16, 2024. In line with the sanctions, Sinouar will have all his funds, as well as other financial assets in the Member States of the EU, frozen.

Moreover, all operators in the EU are prohibited from making funds and other economic resources available to him.

Following his listing, Yahia Sinouar is subject to the freezing of his funds and other financial assets in EU member states. It is also prohibited for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to him.

EU Council

The other person targeted by the EU is Ahmed Khaled Müller, who is a member of Al-Shabab in Somalia.

As the Council explained, Müller has been added to the list of people who are subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and AlQaeda, as well as individuals, groups, and entities that are associated with them.

Explaining the decision to add Müller to the sanctions list, the EU Council said that he has participated in operations and has committed terrorist attacks on behalf of Al-Shabab.

Today’s decision reconfirms the EU’s resolve in countering the continued terrorist threat posed by Al-Qaeda, ISIL(Da’esh) and their regional affiliates.

EU Council

In line with the Council’s decision, Müller is now subject to a travel ban, meaning that he is not permitted to enter the EU countries. He is also not permitted to transit through the bloc.

Additionally, Müller is now subject to an asset freeze. This means that he will not be able to use his funds and other assets in the Member States of the EU.

The Council further stresses that EU citizens and operators are not allowed to make funds available to Müller.

In addition to Müller, another 14 persons are part of the same list and subject to the same restrictions.

Following these two new listings, the Council said that the EU remain dedicated to taking measures against individuals and groups that persist in jeopardising their peace and security through the planning, financing, and execution of terrorist attacks.