◆ SpookStack

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED #/29 DATE 05-15-2006 BY 60309AICTAM/MLT/CLS DUE TO 1006600, DATED U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation In Reply, Please Refer to July 18, 2003 File No. Allegations of Al Qaeda Trafficking in Conflict Diamonds. Executive Summary In November 2ool, the Washington Post initiated a series of articles linking the al Qaeda terrorist network to diamond trafficking in West Africa. According to the media reporting, al 'etgeqgt 'etaoauon ut paseg pue sasedge Bugsn 'saagaeaado epae? reaped millions of dollars from 1999 to 2001 through the sale of diamonds mined by the Revolutionary United Front (RuF). Reporting The FBl's Terrorist Financing Operations Section (TFos),. in concert with other agencies, has endeavored to determine the validity of these allegations. FBI efforts consisted of investigation in the U.S. and several foreign countries including Ghana, Belgium, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso. During this comprehensive investigation, more than 25 individuals ranging from former high-ranking RuF rebels to diamond dealers responsible for exporting an estimated 80% of the diamonds mined in Sierra Leone were interview. None of the individuals interviewed were aware of any al Qaeda diamond buying from the RuF-controlled areas as alleged by the media. Several countries also conducted investigation into al. Qaeda's alleged diamond trafficking activities in west Africa. TFOS various countries mentioned in the media reports. Based on the that al Qaeda fugitives were not involved with the trafficking of conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone. The Belgian Federal Police Hoe duodeam e do uogannasoad aye bugpee aae pue paaebtasaau! with al Qaeda. The witnesses to this investigation denied that al region during 2o0o through 200l. Furthermore, numerous witness have identified the alleged al Qaeda aliases as actual individuals from Senegal involved in the diamond trade of west Africa. Lastly, the FBI, and others in the U.S. Intelligence significant financial knowledge of al Qaeda finances. These detainees specifically denied that al Qaeda used diamonds as a funding mechanism to support terrorism.. This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBi. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.