Fake DVDs funding NI terrorists, claims report

Illegally pirated music and films are funding rogue terrorist groups in Northern Ireland, a leaked Interpol report has claimed.

Contraband CDs and DVDs are becoming the “preferred method” for terror groups, according to the recent Interpol report.

The report, was written by Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble for a US congressional committee and seen by the Hollywood Reporter newspaper.

Mr Noble wrote: “In July 2003 Interpol concluded that the link between organised crime and counterfeit goods was well established and sounded the alarm that (intellectual property crime) was becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terrorist groups.”

The report claimed Irish terrorist groups also used piracy to fill its coffers, but was not specific as to which groups.

No-one was immediately available at Interpol to offer comment on the report.

The Interpol report was reportedly put before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which was examining the impact of international copyright piracy.