British watchdog freezes accounts of charity amid terror probe

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Britain's charity watchdog said it has frozen the bank accounts of the aid group Crescent Relief as part of a probe into whether money was diverted to an alleged plot to blow up US-bound planes. The Charity Commission said it opened a formal inquiry following media reports potentially linking suspects in the plot to Crescent Relief, which raised funds for earthquake relief in Pakistan.

"The inquiry will focus on whether or not the charity's funds, or funds raised on its behalf, were used unlawfully. It will also consider the financial policies and practices of the charity," the commission said in a statement. "As a temporary and protective measure, the commission has frozen the bank accounts of the charity," the independent regulator for England and Wales,...