Treasury declares man a member of al-Qaida

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department declared a German national a member of al-Qaida Thursday, saying he was acting for or on behalf of the terror organization.

Investigations by German federal attorneys indicate Bekkay Harrach is been in al-Qaida since March 2007, received military training at an al-Qaida camp, and made threats concerning terrorist activities in material distributed in Germany, the Treasury Department said in a release.

"Harrach's activities are a stark reminder that al-Qaida continues to attempt to terrorize the German people and others involved in the fight against terrorism," said Adam Szubin, director of the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. "The international community must redouble its efforts to use all tools -- including the United Nations' powerful sanctions -- to thwart al-Qaida's objectives."

In May, Harrach was added to the United Nations sanction list of individuals and entities tied to al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. Inclusion on the U.N. list triggers international obligations on member countries, requiring them to freeze funds and other assets of those listed, and impose other sanctions such as a travel ban or arms embargo.