South Korean Police Arrest Four Uzbeks in First Terror-Financing Crypto Case

Police in Gwangju, South Korea, arrested four Uzbek nationals in April under the Act on the Prohibition of Financing for Terrorism. According to Odaily, the main suspect has been indicted, detained, and is on trial, while the other three were questioned without detention; one suspect is also subject to an Interpol red notice. Police said the main suspect transferred 4,267 USDT in seven transactions to the Syrian group Katibat Tawhid wal Jihad (KTJ) between August 2024 and April 2025. KTJ was founded in 2014, is mainly made up of Central Asian fighters, and has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations and the United States. Investigators said the suspect also allegedly received cryptocurrency from KTJ, bought 11 used cars and two excavators worth 170 million won, and sent the vehicles to Syria. The other three suspects are accused of helping with procurement and exports. Police said the case is South Korea's first involving cryptocurrency received from a terrorist group and used to buy and supply vehicles. Investigators also said the main suspect used three personal wallets and deposited vehicle payments into an account under a spouse's name. The case remains under investigation.