Khalifa al-Subaiy, a former Qatari central banker jailed for funding Al-Qaeda, was still able to withdraw $120,000 every year from his accounts at the Qatar National Bank (QNB), as revealed by Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Al-Subaiy, though, has been listed by the Treasury Department as a terrorist financier since 2008. President Trump is right to push for a stronger anti-terror policy.
Qatar always alleges that it does not support terrorism and extremism. But, the Khalifa al-Subaiy story suggests that Doha plays a crucial role in financing Islamic terrorism. Extremist groups such as the Taliban, some Al-Qaeda branches, and Muslim Brotherhood affiliated organizations are repeatedly accused of being funded by gas-rich Qatar.
The United States exerted real efforts backed by United Nations Security Council resolutions to put an end to the financial support for terror, especially after 9/11 attacks. Neighboring Gulf countries and the U.S. repeatedly complain that Qatar did not abide by United Nations sanctions. Qatar's commitment remains unclear and this new case makes the country's position even more delicate.
It was reported that Al-Subaiy supported al-Qaeda leaders, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Khalifa al-Subaiy was added to the United Nations terror blacklist in 2008. Although his assets were frozen, the WSL just revealed that al-Subaiy was allowed to withdraw up to $10,000 per month from his QNB account to cover supposed "basic necessities." This allowance was authorized by Qatar, which subsequently evaded the UN freeze.
Indeed, the monthly $10,000 helped Khalifa al-Subaiy finance terrorist groups at least until 2013.
Besides UN sanctions, al-Subaiy was condemned in 2008 in Bahrain on charges of financing and facilitating terrorism. Not showing up at his trial, he was eventually arrested in Qatar and finally spent six months in Qatari jails. Ironically, in Qatar, you only get six months for funding top Al-Qaeda operatives.
Khalifa al-Subaiy, who was recently released, immediately recommunicated with al-Qaeda leaders. He notably linked up with operatives in Iran as of 2009 and sent cash to senior al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan through 2013.
Qatar is also accused of hosting the controversial MP leader "Yusuf Al Qaradawi", who believes that female rape victims should be punished if dressed "immodestly" when assaulted and supported suicide bombings against civilians in Israel.
The US administration under Donald Trump was right to be tough with Qatar, and Congress should follow suit.
