A Turkish national was arrested in the United Kingdom on Friday based on U.S. charges accusing him of conspiring to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through a purported global humanitarian organization. Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, of Istanbul, is alleged to have held a senior role in the organization, which U.S. prosecutors described as a sham.
Hasna was ordered held pending extradition proceedings before he can be brought to New York, where he faces charges including conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism, and financing terrorism. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald in Manhattan, Hasna worked closely with senior Hamas leadership to deliver supplies, food, and funding to the organization, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors allege Hasna collaborated with Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas' governing body, since at least 2023.
It was not immediately known who will represent Hasna in the U.S. legal proceedings.