Man accused of using coronavirus loans to fund terror organisation Islamic State in Syria
The former pub landlord, from London, allegedly sent money he claimed through a government pandemic support scheme to Islamic State.
A man has appeared in court accused of sending thousands of pounds in coronavirus bounce back loans to fund the terror organisation Islamic State in Syria.
Tarek Namouz, 42, of no fixed address, faces eight charges of entering into a terror funding arrangement on dates between November 2020 and May 2021.
He is also accused of two counts of possessing terrorist information relating to videos.
The former pub landlord from London appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth jail on Monday.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said that, in summary, it is alleged the defendant sent “the proceeds of coronavirus bounce back funding loans to ISIS”.
The bounce back loan scheme was launched by the government during the pandemic to help small and medium-sized businesses borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover up to a maximum of £50,000.
It closed to new applications on 31 March 2021.
