A Montreal businessman is seeking funds to free hostages captured by the armed group Daesh (EI) in Iraq. The initiative is controversial, however, since the ransom fuels the industry and may contribute to finance a terrorist organization.
Steve Maman, originally a Sephardic Jew from Morocco, wants to help the members of Yazidi and Christian religious minorities through agreements with persons who are in Iraq.
"We have brokers who are on site, within the Caliphate. These are people who are obviously muslim, but who do not necessarily agree with the practices against Christians and Yezidis who are held, "said Steve in a radio interview with ICI RDI. Until now, Steve Maman says he did release 128 children and young women.
To finance this initiative, he established the nonprofit organization Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq, and solicits donations to "negotiate" the release of hostages. He hopes to raise nearly $ 10 million. Up until now, the organization had raised more than $ 420,000, according to its website.