An Israeli court Tuesday sentenced Mohammed al-Halabi to 12 years in prison. Al-Halabi is the Gaza director for international Christian charity World Vision. This decision comes after al-Halabi spent six years in Israeli detention and attended 172 court hearings. Halabi was convicted in June of 13 charges. Authories allege that he diverted funds from World Vision into the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Independent audits and investigations carried out in recent years have found no evidence of wrongdoing by al-Halabi.

World Vision released a statement, saying:

The arrest, six-year trial, unjust verdict and this sentence are emblematic of actions that hinder humanitarian work in Gaza and the West Bank. It adds to the chilling impact on World Vision and other aid or development groups working to assist Palestinians. We are saddened that our work helping Gaza’s most vulnerable children has been disrupted for so long, and we hope to return to Gaza.

World Vision spokesperson Sharon Marshall voiced the organization’s support of Halabi’s intent to appeal the verdict and the sentence.