FATF lauds France for imposing sanctions against Masood Azhar after Pulwama terror attack

File Image of Pulwama terror attack

New Delhi: Anti-Terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has lauded France's prompt announcement of sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019. 

Over 40 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14th, 2019. The attack was perpetrated by UN listed Pakistan-based terror organization Jaish-e-Mohammed. 

The FATF Mutual evaluation report highlighted that after the terror attack, "France adopted a national freezing measure on 15 March against Mohamed Masood Azhar Alvi, the founder and leader of that organisation" and the Paris "subsequently proposed a draft European listing, while supporting a United Nations 1267 listing, which was obtained on 1st May 2019." 

The mutual evaluation report pointed out how France played "an active role in the international sanctions policy and designations on UN lists." The process of French national listing involves targets being identified by the intelligence agencies who send their proposed listings to the Co-ordination Unit of the Fight Against Terrorism (UCLAT). 

This process ensures that there are no objections to the proposal by an intelligence agency or judicial body. Tracfin, a unit under the French ministry of economy, also adds its suggestions including giving details on the possible existence of assets in France in advance.

Not only has France steadfastly supported India after the Pulwama terror attack, but the country has also backed Indian requests to block attempts by Pakistan to enlist innocent Indian citizens under the UNSC 1267 sanctions Committee based on fabricated charges. In the aftermath of a string of terrorist attacks in 2020 in France, most notably the "Paris stabbing attack”, and beheading of Samuel Paty in October, India expressed its condolences. 

In fact, in the face of the backlash against purported French “Islamophobia”, in countries such as Turkey and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his public support to President Macron.

Overall, the mutual evaluation report called France's system to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing effective and robust. Following the terrorist attacks in 2015, France has actively combatted terrorist financing.