German newspaper sheds light on the ‘Polisario’ money laundering and terrorism scandal

Last updated Feb 7, 2023

Berlin – The ”polisario” is at the heart of a money laundering scandal and an obscure terrorist financing network operated in Europe with the complicity of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite group, reveals the German newspaper “Die Welt”.

The daily highlights recent large-scale financial deals and transactions between the “polisario” militia and a Hezbollah network specializing in money laundering through the “Hawala” system, which transfers money through an unofficial clearing mechanism between exchange nodes, citing financial investigations, reports from the Spanish Civil Guard, and terrorism experts.

Hezbollah transfers value to its criminal clients by purchasing and selling goods using conventional money laundering methods after the dirty money has been introduced into the legal financial system, according to the publication.

Several European nations, including Germany, Belgium, France, and Great Britain, as well as the Gulf States and the Tindouf camps run by the “polisario” in southern Algeria were allegedly the target of illegal money transfers, according to “Die Welt.”

Ahmed A. and his partner Azman, two agents and frontline courtiers, established the “Hawala” business network of the “polisario” in Tindouf. Ahmed A. bragged about his ability to send up to 50,000 euros at any time, anywhere. According to reports from the Guardia Civil’s financial department, he claims he will be able to make even larger transfers,” Die Welt notes.

“Ahmed A., a Libyan-born Spaniard who attended school there, specializes in sending illicit funds from Europe to West Africa and vice versa. He is based in Spain along with his colleagues. They have strong ties to Algerian generals, the source continues, adding that “the two Hawala brokers of the “polisario” opened butcher shops, food and computer stores, as well as private accounts in several European banks where their customers can transfer money in order to conceal their illegal financial activities.”

The revelations confirm the affiliation between the “polisario” and Hezbollah, alarming terrorism experts and global counterterrorism organizations, while Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, is increasing its influence in West Africa, the daily reports.

The German newspaper emphasizes that Hezbollah has set up a training facility in the Tindouf camps for “polisario” fighters with the approval of the ruling Algerian junta, while the Tehran regime has provided the “polisario” militia with missiles and drones, endangering regional stability.