A charity reportedly linked to the Iranian regime is under investigation by Scotland Yard and the Charity Commission, according to information obtained by The Times.
The Dar Alhekma Trust (DAT), located near Regent’s Park in London, is being scrutinized by the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit. Authorities received a detailed dossier implicating DAT and a related organization, the Abrar Islamic Foundation (AIF), in activities allegedly connected to Tehran-backed groups. Both organizations deny any wrongdoing.
The Times has previously reported on connections between UK-based charities and the Iranian regime, which MI5 accuses of orchestrating assassination attempts, kidnappings, and intimidation of dissidents.
Ongoing Investigations
The Charity Commission has initiated a regulatory compliance case into both DAT and AIF but has paused its inquiry while police assess the dossier to determine whether a formal criminal investigation is warranted.
One trustee of DAT has been accused of supporting figures linked to the Iranian regime. After the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, the trustee reportedly posted on social media that Palestinians had “become the master of the situation.” In another instance, the trustee allegedly praised Qasem Soleimani, the killed commander of the Quds Force, an IRGC division primarily responsible for extraterritorial and clandestine military operations, describing him as courageous and intelligent. The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by the US, and Soleimani had been subject to UK sanctions before his death in a US drone strike in 2020.
The trustee in question, Dr. Saeed Shehabi, is a prominent Bahraini opposition figure residing in the UK since 1973. He has faced allegations regarding his support for groups linked to Tehran. For instance, in 2021, Shehabi provided a recorded message for an Iranian event organized by al-Wafa, the political arm of Al-Ashtar Brigades, a Bahraini militant group classified as a terrorist organization by both the UK and the US.
Responses to Allegations
A spokesperson for DAT stated that Shehabi’s involvement in the event was limited to a video message expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. The spokesperson asserted that Shehabi had no knowledge of the event’s broader context. “Dr. Shehabi has always been a peaceful activist opposed to violence,” the spokesperson said, adding that his comments on Soleimani merely reflected the commander’s complex legacy as perceived by some.
Shehabi himself emphasized his commitment to peaceful resolution in Palestine and condemned the long-standing blockade of Gaza. He stated that his comments on October 7 were intended to express solidarity with oppressed Palestinians rather than to endorse violence.
DAT and AIF have both described themselves as interfaith charities and categorically denied any wrongdoing. “We are law-abiding institutions and are confident that authorities will find no basis for allegations of illegality,” a DAT representative said.
Official Statements
The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving a referral in April regarding potential terrorist financing and breaches of economic sanctions. Specialists are currently assessing the information to decide whether to initiate a formal investigation. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission stated: “While the commission does not determine criminal liability, we are liaising with the Metropolitan Police and will engage further when appropriate.”
