In accordance with paragraph 13 of resolution 1822 (2008) and subsequent related resolutions, the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals, groups, undertakings and entities included in the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
Nessim ben Romdhane Sahraoui was listed on 2 August 2006 pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1617 (2005) as being associated with Al-Qaida, Usama bin Laden or the Taliban for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf, or in support of” and “recruiting for” Ansar al-Islam (QDe.098).
Nessim ben Romdhane Sahraoui belonged to an Italian terrorist cell affiliated with Ansar al-Islam (QDe.098). In addition to Nessim Sahraoui, the cell included Al-Azhar ben Khalifa ben Ahmed Rouine (QDi.150), Faraj Faraj Hussein al-Sa’idi (deceased), Radi Abd el Samie Abou el Yazid el Ayashi (QDi.142), Faycal Boughanemi (QDi.188) and Merai Abdefattah Khalil Zoghbi (QDi.223).
This terrorist cell aimed to plan and prepare terrorist acts, recruit volunteers for training camps in Afghanistan and Iraq, supply its members with forged documents, collect money through drug trafficking and counterfeiting, distribute propaganda via leaflets and sermons inciting to terrorist acts including suicide bombings, and to supply other cells with materials and support for terrorist activities. The cell was linked to similar groups in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Nessim Sahraoui was an active member of the cell, and was in contact with other cells based abroad. He was in charge of receiving and hiding forged documents to allow other cell members to move abroad. He did so in close cooperation with others. Nessim Sahraoui planned to join Al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist training camps in Northern Iraq.
Nessim Sahraoui was accused and prosecuted in Italy for conspiracy to commit terrorist acts in Italy and abroad. He was sentenced on 20 December 2007 by the Milan Assizes Court, Italy, to six years of detention for belonging to a criminal association with terrorist aims and for receiving stolen goods. The sentence was confirmed on 20 November 2008 by the Milan Assizes Appeal Court.
Nessim Sahraoui was also tried in Tunisia and sentenced to four years of imprisonment for terrorist activity. He was in prison in Tunisia as at 15 June 2009.