South African resident Ziyadh Hoorzook is set to be released on bail after his application was approved by the Lichtenburg court. He is accused of sending over $600 in Bitcoin to an alleged ISIS associate in Syria.
Accusations and Arrest
Hoorzook was arrested following accusations of sending Bitcoin to an organization named 'Al Sadaqah', which allegedly has ties with ISIS. According to South African authorities, Bitcoin payments were made to a group associated with ISIS.
Defense Position
Hoorzook denied the allegations, stating he was unaware of the organization's ties with ISIS. He thought 'Al Sadaqah' was a charitable organization and intended to help people in Syria suffering from mass human rights violations. According to him, 'Al Sadaqah' seemed the most convenient group for donations, given its promotion by Islamic leaders claiming that funds were directly aiding humanitarian causes.
Prosecution Arguments
Investigating officer John Sithole stated that the state’s case against Hoorzook was strong. His devices contained videos, images, and articles promoting violence, as well as speeches by former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, which Sithole believes prove Hoorzook's awareness of the links between 'Al Sadaqah' and terrorism.
The magistrate pointed out that the state lacked substantial evidence against Hoorzook, leading to the case's postponement to March 3, 2025. Nevertheless, the South African government sees this case as pivotal in its efforts to get off the FATF grey list.
