LONDON, Aug 24: Britain’s charity watchdog said on Thursday it has frozen the bank accounts of the aid group Crescent Relief as part of a probe into whether money was diverted to an alleged plot to blow up US-bound planes.

The Charity Commission said it opened a formal inquiry following media reports potentially linking suspects in the plot to Crescent Relief, which raised funds for earthquake relief in Pakistan.

“The inquiry will focus on whether or not the charity’s funds, or funds raised on its behalf, were used unlawfully. It will also consider the financial policies and practices of the charity,” the commission said in a statement.

“As a temporary and protective measure, the commission has frozen the bank accounts of the charity,” the independent regulator for England and Wales, adding that the charity would have to obtain its permission to use any funds.

The Charity Commission told AFP at the weekend it was evaluating media reports of links between the charity and the alleged airline conspiracy which British police said they foiled on August 10.

The Times newspaper said on Saturday that Crescent Relief, which mobilised for the October 8 earthquake in Pakistan, was founded in 2000 by Abdul Rauf, the father of Rashid Rauf, who is being held in Pakistan over the plot.—AFP