Millions collectors for IS: Trial against Chechens begins in Vienna!

Millions collectors for IS: Trial against Chechens begins in Vienna!

An explosive trial against Yusup M., a 33-year-old Chechen, began today at the Vienna Regional Court. The indictment makes serious allegations: The suspected member of the terrorist militia “Islamic State” (IS) is said to have collected several million euros for fighters and supporters of the group in Syria and Iraq since 2018. What is particularly alarming is the estimate that a total of up to 73.5 million US dollars, or around 62.77 million euros, were raised through a professionally managed donation channel The press.

The Vienna public prosecutor's office is charging him not only with being a terrorist organization, but also with forming a criminal organization in connection with his actions. Yusup M. had operated in Vienna-Floridsdorf until his arrest in autumn 2022 and was embedded in an international structure that also included members in Germany, Belgium and Turkey. His group called “Jamaat” had set itself the task of collecting money for IS and financially supporting fighters and their relatives or even buying their freedom.

Professionalization of terrorist financing

During the course of the investigation it emerged that Yusup M. was behind “highly professional online presences”. Initially, donations were transported in cash via Turkey to Syria or Iraq, but later they were processed using cryptocurrencies and crypto wallets. Manipulative images were used, including photos of children without mothers, to emotionally move affected donors. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Yusup M. vehemently denies the allegations. He claims that he has no connection to IS and has never organized any fundraisers. VOL.at reports.

But what makes the matter even more explosive? According to that Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) The focus is on preventing terrorist financing and there are strict measures in place to prevent such activities. Various credit and payment institutions have to deal intensively with their specific risks. BaFin has already surveyed over 40 institutions to assess their security measures and to check whether absolutely necessary steps are being taken to prevent the misuse of financial channels.

Increased security precautions

Given the seriousness of the allegations, the trial is taking place under increased security precautions. When it comes to an issue like this, which brings terrorism into focus, nothing is left to chance. Yusup M. is accused of direct networking with core members of IS, which worries the public in Vienna and beyond. The Chechen community in Austria is apparently critical of the defendant because he was with the police in his homeland and cannot be trusted, as he himself admitted.

How the situation will develop further remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the trial and the associated revelations will trigger a wide-ranging discussion about the financing of terrorism and security within Europe. A topic that affects us all.