US freezes assets of Sudan charity on alleged terror ties

WASHINGTON, Oct 13, 2004 (Dow Jones) — The U.S. government Wednesday froze the assets of a Sudan-based international charity it has identified as a supporter of terrorism.

The U.S. Treasury Department designated the international network of the Islamic African Relief Agency, or IARA, and five of its senior officials under Executive Order 13224 – a move that freezes their U.S. assets and criminalizes funding and other support for them.

“The international offices of IARA were providing direct financial support to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida, Hamas and other terrorist groups,” Treasury Secretary John Snow said in a press release.

With its latest action, the U.S. has designated 393 individuals and entities as terrorists or terrorist facilitators, freezing $142 million in terrorism-related assets.