Accused of giving cash to ‘Mo the Hat’ – the Brussels attack suspect

Two men accused of giving £3,000 to a suspect in the Brussels and Paris terrorist attacks denied terror offences at the Old Bailey today (thurs).

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, 27, and Zakaria Boufassil, both 26, are said to have provided the money to ‘man in the hat’ Mohamed Abrini in Birmingham in July last year.

Both men are charged along with Boufassil’s sister Soumaya Boufassil, 30, of a single charge of ‘engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism’ between 1 June 2014 and 16 April 2016.

The charge states Ahmed ‘participated in physical training’ and Soumaya Boufassil ‘researched and discussed life as a member of Daesh’.

The pair are jointly alleged to have ‘researched and planned secure methods by which to travel undetected overseas’ and ‘accrued cash funds to finance their travel’.

Ahmed and Zakaria Boufassil are said to have ‘supplied a quantity of sterling currency to Mohamed Abrini contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Terrorism Act 2006’.

Abrini, a 31-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin, is in custody in Belgium on suspicion of connection with an attack in Brussels in March. He is also wanted in connection with the November attacks in Paris.

Soumaya Boufassil appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Bronzefield prison wearing a pink headscarf and black top.

Zakaria Boufassil, using a French interpreter, and Ahmed both appeared by videolink from Wandsworth prison.

All three spoke to confirm their names and entered not guilty pleas to the charge.

Ahmed is a British national and both Boufassils are Belgian-Moroccans.

They face trial at Kingston Crown Court on 14 November in front of High Court judge Mr Justice Baker.

Zakaria Boufassil, of [310] Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, Ahmed, of [120] Heather Road, Small Heath, and Soumaya Boufassil, of [35] Vann Close, Small Heath, were all remanded in custody.

ENDS