US arrests two Hamas 'racketeers'

The men were accused of financial activities to support Hamas

The US authorities have arrested two alleged members of Palestinian militant group Hamas on racketeering and terrorism charges.

Officials said Muhammed Hamid Khalil Salah and Abdelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar were arrested on Thursday in Chicago and in northern Virginia.

A warrant was also issued for an alleged senior Hamas leader in Syria.

The US attorney general said the trio "allegedly ran a US-based terrorist and financing cell" associated with Hamas.

They "were indicted for their roles in a 15-year racketing conspiracy in the US and abroad", said US Attorney General John Ashcroft, quoted by the Associated Press.

"The cell allegedly financed the activities of a terrorist organisation that was murdering innocent victims abroad including American citizens."

The three played "a substantial role in financing and supporting international terrorism," he added.

Mr Ashqar's lawyer said the indictment was "politically motivated".

Charges

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of about $2.7m from accounts that the defendants reportedly control.

All three men were accused of using US bank accounts to launder millions of dollars to support Hamas activities.

Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook - identified as the deputy chief of the political bureau of Hamas - has lived in Louisiana. Mr Ashcroft said he was currently living in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Mr Salah, 51, and Mr Ashqar, 46, were expected to appear on Friday before a US magistrate in different cities, Reuters news agency reported.

If convicted for racketeering, the three face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Washington designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation in 1997.

Last month, a banned US-based Muslim charity and seven of its employees were charged with conspiring to support Hamas, and with tax fraud and money-laundering.