Florence Arrest: Kuwaiti Man Linked to Hamas Financing – Urgent Breaking News
Florence, Italy – December 29, 2025 – Italian authorities have arrested a 48-year-old Kuwaiti national in Florence, suspected of playing a key role in funneling funds to Hamas. The arrest, part of a larger investigation led by the Genoa prosecutor’s office, highlights growing concerns about the financing of terrorist organizations through European networks. This is a developing story, and archyde.com is committed to bringing you the latest updates as they unfold. This case underscores the complex challenges of tracking and disrupting financial support for groups designated as terrorist organizations, a global issue demanding international cooperation.
The Allegations: From Social Media Praise to International Connections
Raed Al Salahat, the arrested individual, is accused of actively supporting Hamas, including publicly praising the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel on social media platforms. Beyond online activity, investigators allege Al Salahat maintained significant international connections, including meetings in Turkey with Osama Alisawi, a former Gaza government minister, and Amin Abou Rashed, described as a key figure operating in the Netherlands. These meetings reportedly focused on managing foreign cells and addressing logistical challenges related to financial operations.
The core of the investigation centers on allegations that Al Salahat actively collected funds, ostensibly for charitable purposes in Palestine, but which investigators believe were ultimately diverted to Hamas coffers. The Genoa prosecutor’s office is meticulously tracing the flow of money, suspecting a complex network of triangulated transactions through Italian and foreign accounts.
The Investigation: Raids, Interceptions, and International Intelligence
Saturday’s raid, conducted by Digos (Italy’s anti-terrorism police) and the financial police, targeted Al Salahat’s apartment in Florence’s Oltrarno district. Authorities seized telephones and computers, which are currently undergoing “unrepeatable technical checks” to uncover further evidence of financial transactions and communication with Hamas operatives.
Crucially, the investigation relies heavily on intelligence gathered by Israeli intelligence services over several years, providing a detailed profile of Al Salahat’s activities and sphere of influence. He held a prominent position on the board of directors of a Florence mosque, responsible for organizing and managing donations from the Muslim community, and was a leading organizer of pro-Palestine demonstrations in the region.
A Key Figure in the European Hamas Network?
According to investigators, Al Salahat has been a member of the foreign sector of Hamas since May 2023 and is closely linked to Al Zeer, identified as the number one Hamas operative in Europe, through his involvement with the European Palestinians Conference. He served as a key contact for Florence and Tuscany for a charitable association supporting the Palestinian people. This suggests a coordinated effort to establish a robust support network for Hamas across Europe.
Legal Defense and the Question of Diverted Funds
Raed Al Salahat is being defended by lawyer Samuele Zucchini, who acknowledges that his client collected funds for charitable activities in Palestine but vehemently denies any diversion of those funds for terrorist purposes. “It is certain that Rahed Al Salahat collected funds from the faithful to allocate them to charitable activities in Palestine, but on the accusation of diversion of the same funds, from such uses, for terrorist purposes, this is unproven,” Zucchini stated. Al Salahat is currently being held in Sollicciano prison and is scheduled to be questioned by the investigating judge in Genoa.
Broader Implications: A Million Euros Seized in Nationwide Raids
The Florence arrest is part of a wider crackdown on alleged Hamas financing in Italy. Authorities have conducted 17 searches across the country, including raids on offices of the Abspp association in Genoa, Milan, and Rome. These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately one million euros in cash. This demonstrates the scale of the alleged financial network and the seriousness with which Italian authorities are treating the matter. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism financing and the importance of international collaboration in disrupting these networks.
The case of Raed Al Salahat is a significant development in the ongoing global effort to counter terrorism financing. As the investigation progresses, it promises to shed further light on the methods used to channel funds to Hamas and the extent of its support network within Europe. Archyde.com will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of this breaking story, offering in-depth analysis and updates as they become available. Stay tuned for further developments and expert commentary on this critical issue.