LONDON, 2 July 2003 — An investigation by the government’s Charity Commission published yesterday concluded that radical Muslim leader Abu Hamza Al-Masri mismanaged a north London mosque and breached its charitable status by making inflammatory speeches.
The investigation also concluded that Al-Masri — who has been barred from preaching at the Finsbury Park mosque because of his extremist views — was signatory to a bank account in the mosque’s name of which trustees were unaware. But there was no suggestion he used the funds to finance his political activities.
Al-Masri, who is wanted in Yemen for allegedly orchestrating terrorist activities there from Britain, could not be reached for comment.
“The commission was satisfied that Al-Masri was responsible for the mismanagement or misconduct in the administration of the charity,” said the commission, which is responsible for the registration, regulation and support of charitable organizations in England and Wales.
The investigation began in May 1998, when trustees of the mosque said they “felt intimidated and unable to attend the mosque to oversee the collection of funds.”
The commission found that the Egyptian-born activist had caused or permitted his supporters to take control of the modern red-brick building in north London, had allowed them to live in the mosque and had made extreme political statements in sermons.
The mosque’s trustees have said the building will remain shuttered until it can be cleansed of Al-Masri’s “spiritual filth.”
