Banks freeze accounts of US sanctioned Maldives terror operatives

Maldivian banks are freezing bank accounts of 20 individuals and 29 companies that have been sanctioned by the US on Monday for providing financial support to operations of ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist groups in the Maldives.

Among those named in the sanctions are 18 ISIS and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) facilitators and two al-Qaeda operatives, along with 29 associated companies.

Ahmed Agleel, who is accused by the US of being the leader of the operational arm of an al-Qaeda cell based in Maldives that also has ties to al-Nusrah Front, said on Twitter on Wednesday that his accounts with the Bank of Maldives (BML) have been frozen.

Asked if the bank had started freezing the accounts of individuals on the US sanctions list, BML declined to comment citing customer confidentiality.

However, BML said it has always acted in accordance with the laws and regulations.

According to the US treasury, Addu cell is an ISIS-affiliated cell based in Addu that has attempted to carry out terror plots since at least 2018, including attacks utilising improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Jinaau Naseem, the self-proclaimed emir, or leader of the Addu cell, has been in direct communication with ISIS-K and has provided financial support to Maldivian ISIS foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) in Syria.

Mohamed Thasleem has worked with Ameen to provide guidance for the Addu City cell’s terrorist operations. Thasleem was extensively involved in at least one of the cell’s attempted attack plots. Thasleem is also connected to another ISIS-affiliated cell that attempted to assassinate speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

Faris Mohamed Didi and Ali Nihadh are members of the Addu cell’s operational team. In 2022, Didi was involved in an IED attack plot by the cell in addition to producing ISIS propaganda. Syria-based ISIS officials have previously attempted to facilitate the travel of Didi to Syria. Nihadh has been involved in multiple attempts of the Addu City cell to conduct terrorist attacks.

Mohamed Naushad Sharee has served as a member of the ISIS-affiliated Addu cell. Naushad Shareef has encouraged the cell to conduct terrorist attacks and was involved in attempted attacks using IEDs.

Sky Nova Investment and New Sun Investments Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Naushad Shareef.

Ahmed Alif Rauf, Mohamed Inthif Rauf and Ibrahim Aleef Rauf lead the ISIS-aligned, Maldives-based criminal gang Kuda Henveyru. The Kuda Henveyru gang has attempted to fundraise for Maldivian ISIS FTFs in Syria and has carried out organized large-scale robberies to generate finances.

Alif, Inthif, and Ibrahim have all played a critical role in obtaining funding to support ISIS’s activities abroad. Specifically, Alif and Ameen have been in direct contact with each other regarding ISIS coordination in Maldives. Alif has used Kuda Henveyru to recruit and radicalise young men who are then sent to conflict zones.

Street Investments Pvt Ltd, Street Motor Services, and White Beach Watersports Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Alif. Ibrahim manages Kuda Henveyru’s finances and has generated funding through criminal activities. Ibrahim has additionally facilitated the travel of Kuda Henveyru members to conflict zones for engagement in militant activities.

Baum Pvt Ltd and Maroc International Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Inthif.

Abdulla Ali Manik is an ISIS-aligned operative linked to several terrorist plots in Maldives and maintains direct contact with Ameen and several of his associates. In 2020, Manik carried out a knife attack that was later claimed by ISIS as well as a separate attack also claimed by ISIS that targeted former president Mohamed Nasheed. Since at least 2007, Manik has contributed to radicalisation and recruited individuals in prison.

Moosa Inas was involved in an early 2020 ISIS attack targeting police vessels at Mahibadhoo harbour.

As of early 2022, ISIS-K had appointed Abdulla Shareef as the ISIS emir in Maldives. Shareef, operating under ISIS-K’s directions, was also in direct contact with ISIS leadership in Syria and Iraq.

Multi Construction Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shareef.

Hussain Shamil has helped Ameen recruit individuals in Male, Maldives. Shamil has played an important role in the recruitment and radicalization of Maldivian youth for travel to Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Larosa and Al Athmaar are owned or controlled by Shamil.

Ahmed Mubeen has also assisted Ameen in his recruitment efforts. As senior Maldivian ISIS members, Ameen, Shamil, and Mubeen have counselled individuals interested in travelling to conflict zones, including Syria.

3ZED Investment is owned or controlled by Mubeen.

Ameen Ahmed has recruited vulnerable gang members to participate in the Syrian conflict. Ahmed has also expressed a desire to fight for ISIS. Previously, he possessed instructions for bomb-making and poison-making.

Inma Maldives and Jazeerat Almaldifi are owned or controlled by Ahmed.

Yoosuf Shaheed is an ISIS supporter who has recruited and facilitated the travel of Maldivians to Syria.

Dhawi Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shaheed and Ahmed Afraah. Afraah has sent nearly $1,000 to a leader of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an ISIS-affiliated terrorist group in Indonesia. Separately, Afraah has also sent thousands of dollars to a Türkiye-based ISIS intermediary.

Dhawi Pvt Ltd, SIAS Investment Pvt Ltd, and Fruit Plus Maldives Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Afraah and Code A Partnership is owned or controlled by Afraah and Ameen.

Mohamed Maathiu Abdul Razzaq is an associate of Ameen. Green Birds is owned or controlled by Razzaq.

In late 2018, Ali Shafiu traveled through Pakistan to Afghanistan to join ISIS-K and had previously attempted to go to Syria in 2015. Shafiu, as recently as 2022, was a part of ISIS-K’s media office. Ameen had previously selected Shafiu as the Maldivian representative to ISIS-K leadership in Afghanistan.

Panda Maldives Pvt Ltd is owned or controlled by Shafiu and Al Athmaar is owned or controlled by Shamil and Shafiu.

Ahmed Agleel is the leader of the operational arm of an al-Qaeda cell based in Maldives that also has ties to al-Nusrah Front. Its members have been involved in facilitating and financing the travel of Maldivian nationals to Syria as FTFs.

Agleel was also involved in the 2014 murder of a Maldivian journalist that was carried out by an al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Maldives.

Furaha Construction Pvt Ltd, Designer Garage, and Southern Stallions Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Agleel.

As of early 2021, Ali Shiyam was a high-profile terrorist financier aligned with the al-Qaeda cell operating in Maldives. Shiyam has provided both ideological and financial support to other extremists, including Maldivian fighters. Shiyam has been a leader of al-Qaeda in Maldives and has funded the recruitment of Maldivians to send to Syria.

Golden Warriors Investment Pvt Ltd, Vaaly Brothers Pvt Ltd, Syskon Pvt Ltd, Shine. X Investments Pvt Ltd, Eriyadhu Investments Pvt Ltd, Jazeera Properties Pvt Ltd, and Visions Maldives Pvt Ltd are owned or controlled by Shiyam.