DOHA: Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Doha Phillip Nelson has praised Qatar’s role in the fight against terrorism and money laundering, stressing that the State of Qatar is an important partner of the United States in this field.
The Institute of Criminal Studies at the Public Prosecution yesterday organized a training workshop about combating money laundering, detecting and prosecuting terrorism financing and forfeiting the assets of criminals.
“I believe very strongly that our mutual security requires the United States and Qatar to maintain the closest possible relationship in judicial and law enforcement work. We share with you the same determination to defeat terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering and other criminal activities,” Nelson said.
The two-week event is being organized in collaboration with US Department of Justice and the FBI at the Public Prosecution headquarters, and about 30 participants from a number of government representatives are participating in the session.
“Qatar is very open to regional cooperation and open to working with the United States, and the US is satisfied with Qatar’s role in fight against terrorism,” Nelson added.
Regarding question about allegations against Qatar of supporting terrorism, he said: “We do not really get into what other countries say about people; that is for political dimension.”
He also said that this conference is also very timely on account of the government – wide effort being taken in Qatar to strengthen all aspects of anti money laundering and counter financing of terrorism regime. “I hope that the conference will introduce some new techniques during the discussions and practical exercises.” “The work that you do in Qatar is of the utmost importance. I believe that the discussions here will serve to clarify the many ways that terrorism financing and money laundering are conducted,” he said.
“Internet technologies and social media are the new tools that criminals and terrorists now exploit to undermine our societies and our security. However, these same technologies offer opportunities for law enforcement. When terrorists use technologies to raise funds, or to transfer and launder money electronically, they leave tracks that can be traced and used by investigators to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he noted.
Nelson pointed out that the United States is very pleased with relationship it enjoy with Qatar, “which allows us to make requests as well.” Addressing the event, Abdulla Al Malki, Senior Solicitor General of the Qatar Public Prosecution said: “The financing of terrorism and money laundering are considered crimes that pose a threat to our country and our societies, which require the consolidation of efforts and the development of strategies to deal with these destructive phenomena.”
“We are confident that this workshop will achieve its objectives and that the participants will be able to develop the skills they will acquire from the ground to the best practices and capabilities needed to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering,” he added.
