Westpac shuts accounts of group raising funds for ISIS

Westpac has closed bank accounts linked an extremist group which raises funds for Islamic State terrorists.  

Brothers Behind Bars claims to raise $2,500 every week for Australian extremists and their families, including ISIS-linked Sulayman Khalid, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Westpac blocked the group’s main account last month, but it is understood it continues to raise funds via online forums and money transfer system PayPal. 

Brothers Behind Bars published a letter it claimed was sent by Westpac, informing the group the account had been closed. It was dated September 11. 

‘Call me a conspiracy theorist but look at the date they chose to close our account?’ the group captioned a photo of the letter.

‘Coincidence? I think not!’

Brothers Behind Bars issued a statement and said it was a victim of ‘media lies’ and ‘false propaganda’.    

‘Westpac Bank has closed our main bank account and now the personal accounts of our admins have been targeted for closure,’ a spokesperson wrote.

‘This bullying has gone as far as pushing the NSW Fair Trading to investigate and audit our registered Incorporation which has only been registered since May 2017.

Brothers Behind Bars published a letter it claimed was sent by Westpac, informing the group the account had been closed

‘All investigations into our conduct have turned up nothing so now they are utilising a range of indirect methods to squeeze the life out of our ­organisation.

‘The agenda is very real and very clear – they do not want oppressed Muslims receiving any type of help.’ 

Westpac told the paper the group’s account has been closed and said similar organisations were being monitored. 

Westpac said the group’s account has been closed and said similar organisations were being monitored