Hassan who had been jailed for Khat
smuggling in Sweden was later released and told the Swedish intelligence
service what he knows about the link between the Khat trade in Europe and
Al-Shabaab.
"The money from Khat trade goes to
Somalia by the time the official assets of
Al-Shabaab are frozen world. Therefore the khat trade is one of the few ways to
raise money for the terrorist group “Hassan
said adding “because they need the money to pay their soldiers. We used to send
some twenty thousand Euros to Al-Shabaab in Somalia per week.”
Hassan said when the situation in
Somalia escalated he stopped in the smuggling career. “ I did not want blood on my hands."
"95% of the Khat from Netherlands
is smuggled to Sweden and the price of the Khat is five times higher in Sweden
than Netherlands. The Khat is also smuggled into Germany and the Scandinavian countries. The trade of Khat surely
earns thousands of Euros.” Said Stefan Kalman, Khat-specialist of the Swedish
police.
Mr.
Kalman assured that Khat trade in Europe is an excellent opportunity for
Al-Shabab to raise money for war in Somalia.
But the
Dutch intelligence service, the AIVD, says there is no sufficient evidence that
the khat trade in Western Europe could be a source of income for Al-Shabaab.
“The support
from Somalis in Netherlands is limited. We are keeping close eye to activities
of Somalis in Netherlands so I don’t think there is risk emerging.” AIVD a
spokesman said.
Four times a week, more than twenty pounds of Khat leafs are imported Kenyan
capital Nairobi to Schiphol Amsterdam.
The Khat
consumption gives you highly stimulation and hunger disappears soon after you chew a branch of Khat, a narcotic green
leaf. Around 22,000 Somalis in Netherlands mainly men consume Khat.
Your hunger disappears, you get
a euphoric feeling, Somalis can not do without. But twenty thousand pounds,
which is quite a bit for the estimated 22 000 Somalis who are currently staying
in the Netherlands.
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Somalia: Al-Shabaab earns money from Khat trade in Europe
Somali Khat traders in Europe were accused of aiding the Somalia's terror group Al-Shabaab, report says.