National Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
WASHINGTON
U.S. BLOCKS ACCOUNTS OF OHIO ISLAMIC CHARITY
The Treasury Department yesterday ordered American banks to freeze assets of an Ohio-based group the government says funnels money to the militant organization Hamas. The organization, KindHearts of Toledo, was connected with the Hamas-affiliated Holy Land Foundation and the Al Qaeda-affiliated Global Relief Foundation, the Treasury Department said yesterday. The government took similar action against those groups in late 2001. Under the government action, American citizens are barred from doing business with KindHearts. KindHearts describes itself on its Web site as a nonprofit charitable organization administering humanitarian aid to the world’s poor. In the past, its officials have denied being connected to any terrorist group or individual. KindHearts board member and Cleveland lawyer Jihad Smaili reiterated that position. “This allegation that we support Hamas is unfounded and incredible,” he said.
– Associated Press
