Cleared for publication: The Police International Crimes Unit have arrested an Eritrean national for alleged terror affiliation, Ynet learned Wednesday.
Tel Aviv resident Kabari Gabriosus, 22, is suspected of raising money among the Eritrean migrant community and transferring it to a terrorist group, possibly based in the Sinai Peninsula.
Related stories:
- Op-ed: Israel faces anxiety attack
Dozens of illegal migrants detained nationwide
'Gov't created Israel's migrant problem'
Police arrested two more suspects along with Gabriosus: One was identified as a resident of Ramla and the other as a resident of Beit Zurif in the West Bank.
The police said that Gabriosus' arrest was made possible following a lengthy, covert investigation. He was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, terror affiliation, funding a terror group and money laundering.
The latter charge, according to the police, is indicative of the large sums of money he delivered to his handlers.
According to available information, Gabriosus came under suspicion in the course of police surveillance of several terror suspects in central Israel.
Investigators believed he was serving as the group's "fundraiser" – collecting money from various foreign nationals living in Tel Aviv, the greater Tel Aviv area and other cities in central Israel.
According to the case file, Gabriosus enjoyed a certain standing with various criminal and terror elements in Sinai. Investigators also told the court that so far, he has not been cooperating with them.
Gabriosus was arraigned by Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court: "The material submitted by the police so far presents sufficient evidence implicating the suspect in the acts attributed to him," Judge Shira Zamir said in her ruling.
"After reviewing the case file, including its confidential addendums, it is clear to me that this extensive investigation is ongoing and that its sensitive nature requires various measures for it to be completed."
Judge Zamir granted the police's motion and remanded the suspect until Sunday.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop