US sanctions three ‘far-left’ networks

Washington, Aug 27 (IANS) The United States on Wednesday imposed counterterrorism sanctions on three organisations in Italy, Britain and several other countries, accusing them of supporting violent far-left groups and Palestinian militants.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Italy-based Autistici Inventati, Britain-based Palestine Action and the transnational organisation Masar Badil.

It also sanctioned two Masar Badil officials, Germany-based Zaid Abdulnasser and Brazil-based Rawa Alsagheer.

The action freezes any property or financial interests held by the designated parties in the United States or under the control of US persons. Americans are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving them.

“Far-left extremists, their fronts, and their enablers should be on notice: We will bring the full weight of our economic tools to bear,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

“Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated,” he added.

The Treasury said the action was taken under Executive Order 13224, the principal US authority used to target terrorists, their supporters and financial networks.

It accused Autistici Inventati of providing specialised digital infrastructure and services to violent left-wing groups, including website hosting, encrypted email, video conferencing and its “Noblogs” platform.

The Treasury said the Italian organisation supplied services to groups it considered ideologically aligned, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

The United States, Britain and the European Union have designated the PKK as a terrorist organisation. The Treasury said Autistici Inventati had provided material or technological support for terrorism.

Palestine Action was sanctioned over incidents in Britain involving break-ins at defence facilities and military installations, injuries to law enforcement officers and damage to equipment.

The Treasury said the organisation had promoted its actions through social media and encouraged similar tactics internationally, including in the United States and along the US-Mexico border.

Britain proscribed Palestine Action under its terrorism law in July 2025. The US designation complements that action.

The Treasury described Masar Badil as a transnational organisation linked to the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.

The United States and Canada sanctioned Samidoun in October 2024, describing it as a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The PFLP has been designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organisation since 1997.

According to the Treasury, Masar Badil and Samidoun share fundraising mechanisms, senior leaders and members of their executive committees. It said the two organisations were part of the same political project.

Abdulnasser and Alsagheer were sanctioned because the Treasury identified them as leaders or officials of Masar Badil. The designations also cover entities owned, directly or indirectly, by 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons.

–IANS

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