US embassy cable - 05MADRID2248

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002248 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS (LLAMBERT), S/CT (TKHUSHNER), IO/PSC 
(BFITZGERALD) 
STATE PASS NSC (MRUPPERT), TREASURY (JZARATE) AND OFAC 
(RWERNER) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2015 
TAGS: KTFN, EFIN, PTER, ETTC, PREL, ADPM, SP, Counterterrorism 
SUBJECT: GOS SUGGESTED COOPERATION WITH U.S. ON TERRORISM 
FINANCE CASE 
 
REF: MADRID 02082 
 
Classified By: Economic Counselor Whitney Baird; reason 1.4 (B) 
 
1. (C) During the first official meeting of the U.S.-Spain 
Bilateral Counterterrorism Experts Working Group on May 16-20 
in Madrid (reftel), Spanish judicial officials proposed a 
joint investigation into the finances of the Islamic Cultural 
Center.  The Center is a prominent Islamic institution 
located in Madrid and is affiliated with the M-30 Mosque, one 
of the largest mosques in Europe.  The Spaniards have 
provided information on financial transactions conducted by 
this institution to the FBI. The Spanish investigation and 
report was conducted by Spain's Financial Intelligency Unit 
(SEPLAC) and is of detailed and high quality.  A copy of the 
report will be sent to EB by classified pouch (it is in 
Spanish).  U.S. law enforcement agencies are reviewing the 
report to see whether there is a basis for judicial action in 
the U.S. as well as in Spain.  Irrespective of whether there 
is a basis for judicial action in the U.S., the GOS intends 
to pursue the case in Spain, and the FBI will provide Spanish 
authorities with investigative assistance. 
 
2. (C) There are numerous institutions and individuals 
mentioned in the report.  The FIU summarizes the case in the 
following way.  Money was transferred from the Saudi American 
Bank through bank checks to the Islamic Center in Madrid. 
The Center's director is Saleh Ben Mohammed Al Sonaidi, who 
has power of attorney.  Money was also transferred from the 
Saudi Embasssy in Madrid to Lloyds TSB and then by check to 
the Muslim World League, which in turn transferred money to 
the Islamic Center in Madrid.  The Center thereafter provided 
money to companies, individuals and religious/cultural 
associations.  The Islamic Suhail Fuengirola Commuity 
received money, which in turn transferred money to Mohamend 
Kamal Mostafa.  The Islamic Community of Alicante got funds 
which it transferred to Mohamed Mohamed Zebdeh.  The Valencia 
Islamic Cultural Center also received funds, which in turn 
provided money to Habib Kolsi.  Hicham Temsamani Jad got 
money directly from the Center.  The individuals mentioned 
here were detained and investigated, although the report does 
not specify whether they are still being held.  There are 
other entities and persons named in the report. 
 
3. C) Comment: This is the first Spanish investigation into 
an Islamic charity that the Embassy is aware of.  Whatever it 
else it may signify, it certainly demonstrates that SEPLAC is 
capable of high quality work.  We will be following this case 
closely and continue to offer appropriate assistance. 
 
 
MANZANARES