Iraqi accused of terrorism attacks and plots in US and Europe arrested and charged
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi appeared in US federal court to face six terrorism-related charges
TL;DR
- An Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been arrested and charged by the US justice department with terrorism-related offenses.
- He is accused of involvement in nearly 20 alleged terror attacks and attempted attacks in the US and Europe, with particular concern for attacks targeting Jewish sites.
- Al-Saadi faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property.
- He is alleged to have worked closely with former IRGC commander Qassem Suleimani and leader of Kata’ib Hezbollah Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
- The justice department claims al-Saadi acted on behalf of Kata’ib Hezbollah and the IRGC, including allegedly planning attacks against Jewish institutions in New York, Los Angeles, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
- The complaint describes a front group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), as a means for Kata’ib Hezbollah, Hezbollah, and the IRGC to carry out terrorist goals.
- Al-Saadi's defense attorney expressed concern over his client's solitary confinement conditions.