Progress Party demands ban on hawala money transfers

The Progress Party (Frp) is calling for a ban on hawala activities in Norway, arguing that the informal money transfer system provides organized criminals with a tool to move funds without traceable bank transfers. Jon Helgheim, leader of the Storting Justice Committee, stated that the system allows criminals to deliver cash in Norway and receive payouts in countries such as Iraq or Somalia, complicating efforts to track illicit money flows.

The party cited several criminal cases to support its position, including a recent ruling by the Oslo District Court where a 31-year-old was sentenced for involvement in a Swedish drug network that utilized hawala to transfer funds to Iraq. Frp also referenced a major money laundering case involving 85 million NOK, where it was estimated that over half a billion NOK had passed through the business. Helgheim noted that the party has proposed legislative changes to prohibit all forms of hawala for two years.