Microsoft and Compaq appear to have accidentally sponsored Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network.

According to Russian newspaper Pravda, the two companies gave donations to the Benevolence International Foundation.

But the 'charity' was a front for the training of al-Qaeda terrorists. Pravda stated that Microsoft donated $20,000, but that it is uncertain how much Compaq donated.

The contributions came to light when the FBI investigated the Foundation's activities.

It became interested in the fact that, for the four first months of 2002, the Foundation transferred $685,000 to bank accounts in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia and Russia.

The organisation claimed that the money was for the support of Chechen refugees, but the FBI found evidence that cash was being funnelled to Chechen rebels.

Microsoft confirmed that the donation had been made as part of a scheme whereby it matches donations made by employees.

The software giant said that it immediately suspended all donations to Benevolence International when it heard of the suspicious activity in December 2001.

In May 2002, an arrest warrant was issued for the chairman of the Foundation.