Al-Saadi accused – Federal authorities say they arrested an Iraqi national accused of serving in roles tied to Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and of seeking to carry out attacks on Jewish institutions in multiple cities, including a planned strik
A man accused by federal authorities of plotting attacks against Jewish institutions was arrested after agents said they disrupted what they described as a terrorism plan that reached from Europe to Los Angeles.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, was taken into custody Friday.. Federal authorities allege he served in a role connected to two foreign terrorist organizations and attempted to carry out an attack on a Jewish institution in Los Angeles.. A criminal complaint filed by the U.S.. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York says Al-Saadi faces several terrorism-related charges. including allegations that he worked with Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The federal Bureau of Prisons says Al-Saadi is currently jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.. Court records do not show whether he is represented by an attorney.. In a statement, FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C.. Barnacle Jr.. said: “In the span of just three months. Mohammad Al-Saadi allegedly directed 18 terrorist attacks throughout Europe — including against United States citizens and interests — and planned to conduct a similar attack here in our country.”
Federal authorities said Al-Saadi spoke to an undercover law enforcement officer on or about April 3 regarding plans to kill people in the United States.. The complaint says that in April and this month. Al-Saadi allegedly tried to coordinate and carry out terrorist attacks targeting undisclosed Jewish institutions in New York. Los Angeles and Scottsdale. Ariz.. Authorities said he discussed using an improvised explosive device or setting locations on fire.
A recorded phone call described in the complaint occurred on April 1.. It alleges that Al-Saadi asked whether the undercover officer knew someone who could carry out attacks in the United States and how much they would want to be paid.. When asked what he wanted to attack. the complaint says he stated. “I mean. we provide him with a Jewish temple. a Jewish center.”
Prosecutors allege Al-Saadi is a commander for Kata’ib Hizballah. a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization operating in Iraq and closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.. The complaint also says he worked closely with Qasem Soleimani. the longtime commander of the IRGC-QF who was killed during a U.S.. airstrike in 2020.
Authorities said the plan included targets that could span more than one jurisdiction.. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica S.. Tisch said in a release. “Working with our law enforcement partners. we disrupted a plot against a Manhattan synagogue. and in partnership with the synagogue’s leadership. ensured its security when the threat was elevated.” Federal officials also said Al-Saadi attempted to coordinate attacks involving undisclosed Jewish institutions in April and this month across New York. Los Angeles and Scottsdale.
Al-Saadi is charged with two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. one count of conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terrorism. one count of provision of material support for acts of terrorism. one count of conspiracy to bomb a place of public use and one count of destruction of property by means of fire or explosive.
The prosecution is being handled by the Department of Justice’s Office of National Security and International Narcotics Unit.
The pattern described in the complaint connects an overseas campaign to a U.S.. attempt: Barnacle said Al-Saadi allegedly directed 18 terrorist attacks throughout Europe over three months. while court filings describe conversations with an undercover officer in early April about killing in the United States and arranging payment. followed by plans tied to Jewish institutions in New York. Los Angeles and Scottsdale. including discussions of an improvised explosive device or arson.
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