London, UK – The prominent UK-based charity Al-Khair is facing a high-profile investigation by counter-terrorism police and the Charity Commission. This investigation stems from suspicions of alleged links to the Palestinian group Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by both the UK and the US. The charity reported a substantial income of over £74 million in the financial year ending July 31, 2025. As a result, regulators have intensified their scrutiny of its operations and the size of its finances.
Details of the arrest of leader Mohammed Youssef Hassaneh
British security authorities arrested Mohammed Yousef Hasna, 45, a resident of Istanbul, also known by his Turkish adopted name Orhan Korkmaz and his nom de guerre Abu al-Baraa. He was arrested in the United Kingdom on July 31 and placed in custody pending extradition to the United States. Hasna faces three serious charges in the Southern District of New York. These charges include conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and financing terrorism. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Operations network and connection with Turkey
The US court complaint revealed that Turkey served as the operational and institutional hub from which Hasna managed his global fundraising and logistics network. The investigation indicated that Hasna collaborated with the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) to organize an international summit in Istanbul to provide aid to Gaza. Furthermore, Hasna coordinated aid shipments and financial transactions directly with a senior Hamas official. Hasna also established the HSED Association in Istanbul in 2018 as a front for humanitarian activities. These activities extended to Palestine, Syria, Yemen, and other countries.
Official procedures and investigations by the Charitable Societies Authority
Counter-terrorism police in London confirmed they executed two search warrants at addresses in Croydon as part of an ongoing investigation, but no arrests were made. Meanwhile, the Charity Commission is investigating the involvement of trustees of the charity “Al Khair” and their adherence to due diligence in selecting partners and managing funds. The charity, for its part, announced its full cooperation with the investigation and confirmed it had submitted advance reports to the commission regarding the serious incident prior to the launch of the formal investigation.
