World News
US sanctions Italian hosting provider, Palestine Action, and Masar Badil under counterterrorism executive order
The U.S. Treasury Department blocked the domestic assets of three groups and two individuals, citing support for violent far-left extremism and designated terrorist organizations.
The short version
- The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Italian digital provider Autistici Inventati, UK group Palestine Action, and transnational group Masar Badil under Executive Order 13224.
- The sanctions freeze U.S.-based assets belonging to the groups and two Masar Badil leaders, while generally prohibiting U.S. persons and institutions from conducting financial or commercial transactions with them.
- Treasury officials stated the action targets entities providing infrastructure, material support, or front operations for far-left extremist groups and designated foreign terrorist organizations like the PKK and PFLP.
Key facts
- On August 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against Autistici Inventati, Palestine Action, Masar Badil, and two senior leaders under Executive Order 13224.[Hacker News]
- The sanctions block all property and interests in property of the targeted entities and individuals within U.S. jurisdiction, prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them without authorization.[Hacker News]
- Autistici Inventati is an Italy-based organization providing hosting, encrypted email, and communications tools to groups including Antifa cells and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).[Hacker News]
- Palestine Action was previously proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government in July 2025 following incidents involving damage to defense infrastructure and military installations.[Hacker News]
- Masar Badil was designated for acting as a front for the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), alongside senior leaders Zaid Abdulnasser and Rawa Alsagheer.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- The extent and valuation of any U.S.-based assets currently held by the sanctioned foreign entities and individuals remain unspecified in the public record.[Hacker News]