Kathmandu: The Nepal government has directed freezing of assets of 224 individuals and 64 groups with links to Al Qaeda and Indian underworld don Dawood Ibrahim if they are present in Nepal.
Those on the list are individuals and groups identified by the UNSC as entities associated with Al Qaeda. Under resolutions adopted by the council, UN member states are required to freeze assets, and impose travel ban and embargo on individuals and entities with links to Al Qaeda.
The decision was taken based on Nepal’s commitment to UN principles and its adoption of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act.
Clause 29E(2) of the AML Act stipulates that properties of those who invest in organisations, groups, and people involved in terrorist acts or involved in advancing or manufacturing weapons of mass destruction will be frozen immediately.
“As per out commitment to the UN resolution and recommendation made by the ministry of foreign affairs, we have asked the concerned government agencies to freeze the proprieties or bank account(s) or financial transactions,” Shanker Prasad Koirala, a spokesperson of Nepal’s home ministry told on Monday. (IANS)