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October 30, 2005
Pakistan: 5 Suspected Islamists Arrested for Collecting Donations
In the southern Pakistan city of Karachi, police have arrested five suspected members of Jaish e Mohammed, an outlawed Islamist group. The individuals were collecting money, ostensibly for assisting in the victims of the recent earthquake disaster. The story appears in Pakistan's Daily Star, the China Post and Khaleej Times.
Police inspector Momoor Khan said the men had been collecting in the name of a charity, the Al Rahmat Trust, which has recently been set up by Jaish e Mohammed. "We arrested them because they are from Jaishe Mohammed, which is not allowed to carry out any activity", he said.
President Musharraf of Pakistan banned the Jaish e Mohammed group in January 2002, in an effort to crack down on extremist groups. Jaish e Mohammed aim to create independence for the Kashmir region from India.
The reports state that many Islamic charities and militant groups are now using new names and are collecting donations for earthquake victims, who total 3 million who are now homeless. This is the first instance of people with militant ties being arrested for collecting donations.
There have been several instances of militant Islamists providing aid for the homeless refugees from disaster-hit zones since the earthquake hit on October 8th, but when money is given to militant's charities, one has to wonder if it all arrives at its intended victims, or if some is diverted for less humanitarian ends.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 30, 2005 10:01 AM
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