Al-Saadi allegedly – Federal prosecutors say an Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, plotted terror attacks in the U.S., including a prominent synagogue in New York. Prosecutors allege he sought to hire someone for a bombing, exchanged information and cryptocurrenc
A prominent Jewish synagogue in New York became the focal point of an alleged terror plot after federal prosecutors said an Iraqi national tried to recruit an undercover agent to carry out a bombing in the United States.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national, appeared in court in Lower Manhattan on Friday and is being held in custody as prosecutors pursue a case that they say ties the plan to Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.
Prosecutors say Al-Saadi faces a host of charges. including conspiracy to provide material support to Iranian-back terrorist organizations. including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. or IRGC. and Kata’ib Hizballah.. Court filings allege he is a commander for Kata’ib Hizbollah.. Prosecutors also assert that he “has been involved in the planning. execution and promotion” of approximately 18 reported terror attacks against U.S.. and Israeli interests in Europe since March 9.
One of the most specific allegations centers on the target itself: prosecutors say Al-Saadi attempted to recruit an undercover agent and showed the agent photos and maps of the prominent synagogue.
In filings, prosecutors describe a phone call on April 1 in which Al-Saadi asked how much it would cost to hire someone “to carry out a bombing operation” in the U.S. Prosecutors say he also told the undercover agent, “I mean, we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish center.”
Court documents further allege that Al-Saadi was put in contact with the undercover agent and provided a photo and a map of the specific synagogue to attack. Prosecutors also say he provided similar photos and maps of prominent Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Investigators said the alleged plan moved toward payment.. Prosecutors allege that Al-Saadi and the undercover agent agreed on a price of $10. 000 in cryptocurrency to carry out the attack and that Al-Saadi sent the undercover $3. 000 in cryptocurrency as a down payment. along with a demand that the bombing be carried out on April 6.. He was later arrested.
Prosecutors also point to evidence they say connects Al-Saadi to senior IRGC leadership, including court documents that include pictures of Al-Saadi meeting with Qasem Soleimani, the slain leader of the IRGC.
Al-Saadi’s next court appearance is set for June 29.
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