A UK-based charity is under investigation over alleged links to Hamas.

The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into the Al-Khair Foundation, a Muslim aid NGO with its headquarters in Croydon.

The probe follows the arrest last week of a Turkish national who has ties to the organisation.

Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, was arrested in the UK on suspicion of conspiring to funnel money and supplies to Hamas.

Prosecutors allege that he held a senior role in what they have dubbed a sham global humanitarian organisation.

Hasna is being held in custody, pending extradition proceedings, before he can be taken to New York to face charges brought by the United States.

The Charity Commission said that Hasna is “employed by an organisation that the Al-Khair Foundation works with to deliver aid in Gaza”.

It said that prior to Hasna’s arrest, it had received a complaint alleging that the Al-Khair Foundation and its partners had connections to Hamas, and had funded the proscribed terrorist organisation.

The Charity Commission’s probe aims to ascertain the extent of the charity’s links with Hasna and whether trustees are carrying out due diligence on its partners and use of funds.

The Al-Khair Foundation aims to advance religion and provide support to those in need around the world, including in Gaza.

It said that it is “co-operating fully” with the inquiry and had already filed a serious incident report with the watchdog before it was launched.

“Everywhere we work we are firmly committed to ensuring that the funds entrusted to us by our generous donors are used for their intended purpose: meeting the humanitarian needs of poor and marginalised people in the communities we serve,” a spokesperson said.

“Al-Khair Foundation is deeply committed to supporting those in need in Gaza. Our significant support over many years has included providing food parcels, hot meals, clean water, medical aid, shelter materials, winter assistance and orphan and family support.”

The foundation also said that Hasna is not an employee, but works with one of its global partners to enable the delivery of aid around the world.

US lawyer Jamie McDonald, in New York, alleged that Hasna worked closely with Hamas’ senior leadership to deliver supplies, food and funding to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid.

The Al-Khair Foundation recorded an income of more than £74 million in the financial year ending 31 July 2025, the watchdog said.

A Charity Commission statement published on Friday said: “Last month the commission received a complaint alleging the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

“It also alleged the charity had funded the organisation. The regulator immediately started examining the serious concerns raised and gathered more information to inform its assessment.

“The commission has now escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry.”

Al-Khair is also subject to a legal order restricting some financial transactions being made without the consent of the commission.

The charges lodged against Hasna include conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism and financing terrorism.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.