Two Khalistani groups funded from inside Canada: report , Pg1

Key Highlights:

• A Canadian government report identifies Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as recipients of terror financing from Canada.
• The report, titled ‘2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada,’ highlights Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE).
• FINTRAC identified Hezbollah as the second most frequent international terrorist entity receiving Canadian funds in 2022.
• The report indicates that Khalistani extremist groups raise funds in several countries, including Canada, to support violent means for establishing an independent state within Punjab, India.

Detailed Insights:

• The PMVE category includes groups focused on political self-determination rather than racial or ethnic supremacy, using violence to establish new political systems.
• Hamas and Hezbollah, categorized under PMVE, employ diverse funding methods such as abusing money service businesses, banking sectors, cryptocurrencies, and charitable organizations.
• Khalistani groups previously had extensive fundraising networks in Canada but now consist of smaller groups soliciting donations from diaspora communities, including through NPOs.
• Illegal drug trafficking remains the highest money laundering threat in Canada, followed by fraud, commercial trade fraud, trade-based money laundering, and tax crimes.
• A June 18, 2024 report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service stated that Canada-based Khalistani extremists pose a national security threat to Canada.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Money Laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
• Terrorist Financing: Providing financial support to terrorists or terrorist groups.
• Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE): Using violence to establish new political systems.
• NPO (Non-Profit Organization): An organization that does not operate for the purpose of making a profit.