Aid group accused of Hamas ties put on 'terrorist' list, raided
In a letter to the International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy, the RCMP said the federal government had added the group to a list of "terrorist entities" as of April 24.
"IRFAN is now classified as a 'terrorist group' under Canadian law," the letter from Supt. Stephane Bonin states.
"As a consequence, any property or asset belonging to IRFAN is now frozen."
The letter offers no reason for the listing decision but Canada Revenue Agency has said the organization supported Hamas, itself branded as a terrorist organization.
A statement Tuesday from Public Affairs Minister Steven Blaney noted CRA's contention — which was to be argued in court next week — that IRFAN provided aid to groups run by officials of, or who supported Hamas.
IRFAN, based in Mississauga, Ont., sent about $14.6 million in resources to "various organizations associated with Hamas" between 2005 and 2009, the statement said.
Charitable status revoked
The non-profit IRFAN was due in Federal Court of Appeal on May 6 to contest a 2011 CRA decision to revoke its charitable status because of its alleged ties to Hamas and failure to keep proper records.
No one for IRFAN was available to comment, but a lawyer speaking for the group condemned the listing as an attack on humanitarian support for Palestinians.
IRFAN did not know the terrorist listing was in the works and had no opportunity to respond or offer its side of the story, Ottawa-based lawyer Yavar Hameed said in an interview.
There's no evidence the group did any direct funding of Hamas, he said.
"This listing happens days before we are to present arguments for the first time to the Federal Court of Appeal, so we're very concerned about the timing with which this listing happens which completely undermines any ability for this organization to work as a charity," Hameed said.
"On its face, we believe it is an unfair and unconstitutional decision that has been taken."
"IRFAN is now classified as a 'terrorist group' under Canadian law," the letter from Supt. Stephane Bonin states.
"As a consequence, any property or asset belonging to IRFAN is now frozen."
The letter offers no reason for the listing decision but Canada Revenue Agency has said the organization supported Hamas, itself branded as a terrorist organization.
A statement Tuesday from Public Affairs Minister Steven Blaney noted CRA's contention — which was to be argued in court next week — that IRFAN provided aid to groups run by officials of, or who supported Hamas.
IRFAN, based in Mississauga, Ont., sent about $14.6 million in resources to "various organizations associated with Hamas" between 2005 and 2009, the statement said.
Charitable status revoked
The non-profit IRFAN was due in Federal Court of Appeal on May 6 to contest a 2011 CRA decision to revoke its charitable status because of its alleged ties to Hamas and failure to keep proper records.
No one for IRFAN was available to comment, but a lawyer speaking for the group condemned the listing as an attack on humanitarian support for Palestinians.
IRFAN did not know the terrorist listing was in the works and had no opportunity to respond or offer its side of the story, Ottawa-based lawyer Yavar Hameed said in an interview.
There's no evidence the group did any direct funding of Hamas, he said.
"This listing happens days before we are to present arguments for the first time to the Federal Court of Appeal, so we're very concerned about the timing with which this listing happens which completely undermines any ability for this organization to work as a charity," Hameed said.
"On its face, we believe it is an unfair and unconstitutional decision that has been taken."
In a letter to the International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy, the RCMP said the federal government had added the group to a list of "terrorist entities" as of April 24.
"IRFAN is now classified as a 'terrorist group' under Canadian law," the letter from Supt. Stephane Bonin states.
"As a consequence, any property or asset belonging to IRFAN is now frozen."
The letter offers no reason for the listing decision but Canada Revenue Agency has said the organization supported Hamas, itself branded as a terrorist organization.
A statement Tuesday from Public Affairs Minister Steven Blaney noted CRA's contention — which was to be argued in court next week — that IRFAN provided aid to groups run by officials of, or who supported Hamas.
IRFAN, based in Mississauga, Ont., sent about $14.6 million in resources to "various organizations associated with Hamas" between 2005 and 2009, the statement said.
Charitable status revoked
The non-profit IRFAN was due in Federal Court of Appeal on May 6 to contest a 2011 CRA decision to revoke its charitable status because of its alleged ties to Hamas and failure to keep proper records.
No one for IRFAN was available to comment, but a lawyer speaking for the group condemned the listing as an attack on humanitarian support for Palestinians.
IRFAN did not know the terrorist listing was in the works and had no opportunity to respond or offer its side of the story, Ottawa-based lawyer Yavar Hameed said in an interview.
There's no evidence the group did any direct funding of Hamas, he said.
"This listing happens days before we are to present arguments for the first time to the Federal Court of Appeal, so we're very concerned about the timing with which this listing happens which completely undermines any ability for this organization to work as a charity," Hameed said.
"On its face, we believe it is an unfair and unconstitutional decision that has been taken."
"IRFAN is now classified as a 'terrorist group' under Canadian law," the letter from Supt. Stephane Bonin states.
"As a consequence, any property or asset belonging to IRFAN is now frozen."
The letter offers no reason for the listing decision but Canada Revenue Agency has said the organization supported Hamas, itself branded as a terrorist organization.
A statement Tuesday from Public Affairs Minister Steven Blaney noted CRA's contention — which was to be argued in court next week — that IRFAN provided aid to groups run by officials of, or who supported Hamas.
IRFAN, based in Mississauga, Ont., sent about $14.6 million in resources to "various organizations associated with Hamas" between 2005 and 2009, the statement said.
Charitable status revoked
The non-profit IRFAN was due in Federal Court of Appeal on May 6 to contest a 2011 CRA decision to revoke its charitable status because of its alleged ties to Hamas and failure to keep proper records.
No one for IRFAN was available to comment, but a lawyer speaking for the group condemned the listing as an attack on humanitarian support for Palestinians.
IRFAN did not know the terrorist listing was in the works and had no opportunity to respond or offer its side of the story, Ottawa-based lawyer Yavar Hameed said in an interview.
There's no evidence the group did any direct funding of Hamas, he said.
"This listing happens days before we are to present arguments for the first time to the Federal Court of Appeal, so we're very concerned about the timing with which this listing happens which completely undermines any ability for this organization to work as a charity," Hameed said.
"On its face, we believe it is an unfair and unconstitutional decision that has been taken."
