Killings Being Rewarded With Bitcoins By The ISIS: S Jaishankar

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• Aug 20, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: The External Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told the United Nations that bitcoins are being awarded for killings by ISIS.

He said the financial resource of mobilization of ISIS has become more strong and that’s the reason behind rewarding it via bitcoins.

Addressing a UNSC briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, Jaishankar said the latest report of the Secretary-General has provided another stark reminder that ISIS continues to pose a critical threat to international peace and security.

"ISIL (Daesh) remains active in Syria and Iraq and its affiliates are growing in strength, particularly in Africa. The financial resource mobilization of ISIL (Daesh) has become more robust. The flow of funds has continued and rewards for killings are now even being paid in Bitcoins!" he said.

Jaishankar mentioned that the online propaganda campaign remains a serious concern for the exposed youth.

He said that the ISIS approach has changed as they want to regain ground in Iraq and Syria.

"This evolving phenomenon is extremely dangerous and poses a new set of challenges to our collective efforts in our fight against ISIS and terrorism," Jaishankar said.

"Let us always remember that what is true of Covid is even more true of terrorism: none of us are safe until all of us are safe," he cautioned.

The 66-year-old said that India has always been at the frontline of global counter- terrorism efforts and has taken part in all major initiatives to against international terrorism and is also a party to all United Nations sectoral conventions that is related to terrorism.

"We were pleased to play our role in strengthening the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted last month. We reiterate our full support for counter-terrorism cooperation under the auspices of the UN," he said.

"No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists; distinctions are made only at our own peril," he said.

He also mentioned the need to "enlist and delist objectively, not on political or religious considerations."

Recognize the linkage to organized crime. Support and strengthen the FATF, and provide greater funding to UN Office of Counter-Terrorism," he added.

"It is also important to end the stalemate preventing the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which India has championed for so long," he said.

S Jaishankar is an Indian politician and he is the Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India since May 2019. He is a member of the BJP Government and also the member of parliament in the Rajya Sabha since 5 July 2019, representing Gujarat.

( With Inputs From Economic Times)