Odaily Planet Daily report: In April, the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea arrested four individuals of Uzbek nationality under the Anti-Terrorism Financing Act. The main suspect in the case has been indicted, detained, and is undergoing trial, while the other three are under investigation without detention; one of them has been subject to an Interpol Red Notice.
Authorities allege that, between August 2024 and April 2025, the main suspect made seven transfers totaling 4,267 USDT to the Syrian organization Katibat Tawhid wal Jihad (KTJ). Founded in 2014 and primarily composed of Central Asian armed fighters, KTJ has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and the United States.
The investigation revealed that the main suspect is also suspected of receiving KTJ cryptocurrency, purchasing 11 used vehicles and two excavators with a total value of 1.7 billion Korean won (approximately $12.1 million), and shipping the vehicles to Syria; the other three individuals are suspected of assisting with procurement and export.
Police stated that the case involves receiving cryptocurrency from a terrorist organization and purchasing and supplying vehicles, marking South Korea’s first such case. The investigation also revealed that the main suspect used three personal wallets and deposited vehicle payments into an account under their spouse’s name; the case remains under investigation. (Decrypt)