Wednesday, May 8, 2024

‘Big Win!’ ASG Member Convicted Of Terror Financing – Remulla

From Politiko (May 7, 2024): ‘Big Win!’ ASG Member Convicted Of Terror Financing – Remulla



Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a female member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has been convicted of terrorism financing, adding it strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands.

A local court has convicted a female member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) of terrorism financing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Tuesday (May 7).

“The conviction of a member of the terrorist group more so, a financial facilitator, strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands,” he said.

Remulla congratulated the prosecution team for securing the conviction of the ASG member whom he identified as Norkisa Omar Asnalul.

“This serves as a big win against the ASG network,” Remulla said.

He said Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 last April 4 issued a decision that found Asnalul guilty beyond reasonable doubt as accessory in three counts of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

Under the charges, she was accused of having facilitated the transfer of funds on behalf of the ASG in 2015.

The accused initially entered not guilty pleas but eventually entered into a plea bargain deal with the prosecution.

Because of this and the mitigating circumstances, Asnalul was meted with a lower penalty of imprisonment of four months and one day as minimum up to one year, seven months and 10 days as maximum for each count.

She was also ordered to pay a fine of P100,000 for each count.

“The Court finds no legal impediment to the plea-bargaining agreement entered into by the prosecution and the defense, particularly considering that the lower offense to which the accused wishes to now plead guilty to is penalized under the same law as that for which she is originally charged,” reads the court ruling.

https://politiko.com.ph/2024/05/07/big-win-asg-member-convicted-of-terror-financing-remulla/politiko-lokal/#google_vignette

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