MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) – Somali prosecutors say nearly $1 million has been recovered from bank accounts allegedly linked to terrorist networks, following an ongoing investigation into financial crimes involving extremist financing and money laundering.
In a public statement released on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General said the funds were transferred to the state treasury after legal proceedings confirmed their association with criminal activity.
“Nearly one million dollars held in accounts connected to terrorist groups has been legally handed over to the Somali state,” the office stated.
Authorities also reported that an additional $500,000 in assets remains frozen. The funds were identified during a wider investigation into more than 3,500 bank accounts, which officials say were used to facilitate financial transfers related to armed groups.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed it is currently pursuing over 250 active cases and has filed charges against 50 individuals, some of whom are believed to be living outside the country. Requests have reportedly been submitted to Interpol for assistance in pursuing suspects abroad.
Somali courts have issued 13 verdicts in related cases, including those involving funds traced to international sources.
Officials are urging financial institutions and private sector actors in Somalia to comply with anti-money laundering regulations and report suspicious activity.
“We call on all Somali citizens to closely cooperate with the Office of the Attorney General and other investigative bodies,” the statement said.
This announcement comes amid increased attention on Somalia’s financial systems and concerns over how formal banking infrastructure may be exploited to support armed groups. Efforts to address financial crime have drawn interest from regional and international stakeholders focused on counter-terrorism and economic transparency.
