Terrorism financing case against Kyrgyz citizen postponed in Lithuania

VILNIUS - Final arguments in the case of Kyrgyz citizen Mukhamad Ali Nurkulov, who is accused of financing or supporting terrorism, were postponed at Vilnius Regional Court on Friday due to unforeseen circumstances.

Judge Nida Vigeliene announced on Friday that proper translations of relevant documents would be submitted at the next hearing, scheduled for October 7.

On the same day, prosecutor Rimas Juodis requested that Nurkulov's detention be extended for the maximum period of three months. His current detention term expires on September 21. According to the prosecutor, the defendant no longer holds a Lithuanian residence permit, and the crime he is charged with carries a mandatory prison sentence. The court will announce its decision on the extension of detention on September 9.

Nurkulov arrived in Lithuania shortly before his temporary residence permit was due to expire. He was detained at the airport, preventing him from renewing the permit and leading to its automatic cancellation. The defendant claims he was unaware that the Al Qassem Brigades, the organisation to which he transferred money, is designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union.

Nurkulov is accused of providing direct material support to the Al Qassem Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas, while holding a Lithuanian residence permit, with the intention that the funds be used to support terrorist activities.

The defendant maintains he did not know the Al Qassem Brigades were listed as a terrorist group in the European Union and believed the money would be used for food and other humanitarian aid. He previously told the court he deeply regretted his actions and asked for leniency. However, the prosecutor noted that during the pre-trial investigation, Nurkulov had stated he was aware of the organisation's terrorist status.

Under Lithuanian law, such an offence is punishable by three to 10 years in prison.

According to case files, officials also found posts on his accounts calling for Muslims to join a holy war against non-believers and Israel, alongside photos of masked armed individuals.

Nurkulov was detained at the airport after flying to Lithuania from Istanbul. The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the Financial Crime Investigation Service in cooperation with the State Security Department and was led by a prosecutor from the Prosecutor General's Office.