Frozen Assets

By Michele Orecklin

The individuals and groups whose accounts are being targeted for alleged terrorist links operate globally and boast a variety of stated missions. Among them:

1. Abu Sayyaf is a Muslim guerrilla group based in the Philippines, where it wants a separate Islamic homeland. The group's 300 members now hold 18 hostages, including an American couple. Its frequent kidnappings have netted millions in ransom. Philippine officials said recently that Osama bin Laden supplies the group with arms.

2. Asbat al-Ansar, an anti-Israel Sunni Muslim group, last week denied U.S. accusations that it has financial ties to bin Laden. Its purported leader, Abu Mohjen, is believed to be operating out of a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon after being sentenced to death in absentia by a Lebanese court for several killings in that country. A group spokesman is shown at left.

3. Harakat ul-Mujahedin, an Islamic group based in Pakistan, is seeking to end Indian control in the disputed region of Kashmir. It has claimed responsibility for killing Indian soldiers and civilians but denies it is a terrorist group. It culls donations from Gulf Arabs and runs training camps in Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department says its former leader has ties to bin Laden.

4. Al Rashid Trust, a Muslim charity operating out of Karachi, provides financial support to jailed Islamic militants and families of those killed fighting in Afghanistan and Chechnya. Two weeks ago, an article in its newspaper, Dha'rb-i-M'umin, urged a holy war against Americans and Israelis. A charity spokesman says the newspaper is separate from the charity.

--By Michele Orecklin