The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into whether charitable funds raised by a sanctioned individual were sent to a news outlet that supports Hamas.
The regulator said today it had opened a statutory inquiry to examine the actions of Aozma Sultana, who was sanctioned by the UK government following suspected involvement in providing financial support for Gaza Now, a news agency that “promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad”, according to the commission.
Sultana, who is the director of the UK-registered companies Aakhirah Limited and Al-Qureshi Executives, is subject to a full asset freeze.
Information from the US Treasury states the two companies have “given thousands of dollars to Gaza Now”.
The Charity Commission said: “The US Treasury states that the same companies advertised Gaza Now as a partner during a joint fundraiser, which started shortly after Hamas’ 7 October terrorist attack on Israel.
“The regulator has serious concerns that the funds raised may not have been used for their intended purposes and may have been misappropriated.
“The appeal sought donations from the public for emergency medication, food and shelter to help those in need but is suspected of funding Gaza Now.”
The regulator said it wanted to determine what activities undertaken by Sultana and the UK-registered companies fall within its jurisdiction.
It is also investigating how charitable funds had been raised and used to determine whether these funds can be fully accounted for.
The regulator said: “Individuals and organisations raising funds for a particular charitable purpose have a legal responsibility for ensuring they are used for the purposes intended by the donors.”