What was Brian David Anderson doing in Spain, where he was arrested? “Canadian arrested in terror probe,” from Associated Press:
MADRID, Spain – Spanish police have arrested a Canadian man suspected of helping finance Islamist terrorist activities, authorities said Monday.
Brian David Anderson, 61, is wanted by U.S. authorities for fraud and is believed to have helped finance a training camp in Afghanistan, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. He was arrested in a Madrid hotel thanks to joint collaboration with the
FBI, the ministry said.
It said Anderson is thought to be linked to a New York businessman, Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, 53, who was charged last month with terrorism financing, material support of terrorism and money laundering. Alishtari has pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Alishtari may have thought this would be the perfect way to cover his tracks:
Alishtari donated $20,000 in 2003 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign arm for Republican senators, and more than $15,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm for Republican House
members.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee said last month it was donating the money to a foundation that provides housing for families of wounded soldiers on the grounds of military and Veterans’ Administration hospitals.
Jessica Boulanger, a spokeswoman for the NRCC, said the committee is awaiting the outcome of Alishtari’s case, and if he is found guilty, the money it received would be donated to charity.