Intelligence and security agencies in several European countries have identified routes through which senior Muslim Brotherhood figures are smuggling their funds out of the continent, Arab media reported. The senior figures have been dismantling and selling their real estate properties and facilities in recent months. Part of the capital is moving to countries in East Asia. Meanwhile, the leadership crisis in the Islamist movement continues.
According to the information, these funds are being transferred through commercial mechanisms that appear legitimate, such as cooperation with import-export companies or individuals not organizationally connected to the movement. These individuals establish companies in Europe to transfer funds under the guise of importing goods.
Observers explained that the move follows expectations that European measures could harm the Muslim Brotherhood's financial structure. This is especially true given that the US, Egypt, and Jordan treat the group as a terror organization. According to reports, Europe is witnessing increased coordination in handling the issue. However, achieving real progress in this context depends on resolving the issue of donations made through charities affiliated with the group.
In this context, a source told the Emirati site Aram News that the money transfers are directed to countries including China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and several others in Asia and Africa. According to the source, one mechanism is the guise of importing goods such as clothing, food, and electronics. These transactions are then frozen, and the companies that dealt with imports are closed.
Meanwhile, the Saudi channel Al-Arabiya reported on power struggles over the movement's financial resources. According to the channel's sources, the struggle has reached courts in Turkey. Among other things, a power struggle was reported surrounding the purchase of a five-story building in Istanbul. Additionally, a series of mutual frauds between fugitive senior figures and various factions in the Muslim Brotherhood was reported.
Founded in Egypt about a century ago, the Muslim Brotherhood promotes a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam hostile to Western values. Its branches and affiliated groups span the Middle East and beyond. Some have evolved into full-fledged terror organizations, while others maintain a facade of political or social activism.
