A Virginia court issued an injunction for a nonprofit group advocating for Palestine to turn over financial documents as part of an investigation by the state’s attorney general (AG) into whether they have provided material support to “terrorist” organisations.

In the latest twist in a tussle between the Virginia AG’s office and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), which began in October 2023, Richmond City Circuit Court upheld on Friday the AG’s demands for AMP to comply with the AG’s civil investigative demand (CID).

In October 2023, the AG first issued a CID “regarding its noncompliance with the state’s charitable solicitation law and an investigation into allegations that the organization may have used solicited funds for impermissible purposes, such as benefiting or providing support to terrorist organizations.”

In response, AMP filed a petition to “modify or set aside the demand”. The petition was denied by the Richmond City Circuit Court.

According to the AG, AMP refused to respond to the CID, “forcing” the AG to bring a petition to enforce his CID in January 2025.

The court’s decision last week is a blow for the American advocacy group, which says on its website that its mission is “to educate the American public and media about issues related to Palestine and its rich cultural and historical heritage”.