A U.S. jury recently found Arab Bank PLC liable for giving aid to Hamas. Arab Bank’s legal defeat marks the first jury verdict against a financial institution in a terrorist financing case brought about by the Antiterrorism Act of 1990.
The jury arrived at a verdict one month after the trial and about a few days of discussion, ignoring the bank’s claims that it had no idea a transaction was done with a group under the terrorism watch list.
Attorneys representing victims of terrorism attacks by Hamas over a decade ago, provided proof that the bank was aware of delivering compensation from Saudi-based donors to families of suicide bombers. At the same time, Arab Bank offered services to leaders of the Hamas and charities claimed to have been controlled by the group --- deemed to be terrorist group by the U.S.
Another trial will determine the amount owed to the 300-plus victims of terror attacks in West Bank, Gaza, and Israel during the Second Intifada.
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