Former publican in court accused of sending Covid loans cash to Isis

Rishi Sunak Britain city Richmond county Bailey Syria Isil UPS Kingstone

03.05.2022 - 17:13

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theguardian.com:

A former pub landlord has appeared in court accused of sending thousands of pounds in coronavirus bounceback loans to fund the terrorist group Isis in Syria.

Tarek Namouz, a 42-year-old former pub landlord from London 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 chancellor, Rishi Sunak, launched the bounceback loan scheme in May 2020, six weeks into the UK’s first coronavirus lockdown, as part of a series of measures to prop up the UK economy. The scheme was aimed at supporting small British businesses, with £47bn paid out in loans from commercial banks guaranteed by the state.

On Monday, Namouz appeared at the Old Bailey in London by video link from Wandsworth jail. Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, said it was alleged that the defendant sent “the proceeds of coronavirus bounceback funding loans to Isis”.

Mr Justice Sweeney said it was a “serious case” which would be heard by Judge Peter Lodder, the recorder of Richmond, sitting at Kingston crown court. A plea and case management hearing was set for 22 July, with a provisional two-week trial from 21 November.

The defendant, who spoke only to confirm his identity, was remanded into custody.

Isis, also known as Islamic State, Isil or Daesh, is designated by the UK and 83 other allies as a terrorist organisation.