Suspected ISIS member denies funding terrorism

A west London-born man suspected of being part of Islamic State in Syria has pleaded not guilty to terror funding charges.

Aine Davis, 38, who was born in Hammersmith, is accused of being involved in an attempt to smuggle 20,000 euros out of the UK with the help of his then-wife Amal El-Wahabi in January 2014.

It is said the plan was for the money to be used to support a terrorist cause.

Davis is also accused of possessing a firearm for terrorist purposes between July 28, 2013 and January 16, 2014, when he is said to have been pictured holding a rifle in IS-occupied Syria.

On Friday, Davis entered not guilty pleas to three charges brought under terrorist laws.

It is alleged Davis “invited one or more others to provide money and intended that it should be used, or had reasonable cause to expect it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism”.

According to the charges, he “entered into, or became concerned in an arrangement with Amal El Wahabi and others, as a result of which money was made available, or was to be made available to another, and had a reasonable cause to suspect it may be used for the purposes of terrorism.”

Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, remanded Davis in custody until a hearing on April 18.

Davis denies possession of a firearm for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, funding terrorism, and being involved in a funding arrangement for terrorism.