An Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been charged with coordinating over a dozen terrorist attacks in Europe and Canada, targeting U.S. and Israeli interests. According to a federal criminal complaint, al-Saadi is accused of orchestrating 20 attacks in retaliation for the war in Iran. Among these attacks are the firebombing of a Bank of New York Mellon building in Amsterdam and an attempted bombing of a Bank of America building in Paris.
Al-Saadi appeared in Manhattan federal court on Friday (May 15) on charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorist groups, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and other offenses. Prosecutors allege that al-Saadi is a commander for Kata’ib Hizballah, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, and has been involved with the group since 2017. He is also accused of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States, including a synagogue in New York City, and stabbing two people in London.
CNN reports that al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey and extradited to the U.S. He was ordered to be held without bail and did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance. His attorney, Andrew J. Dalack, claims that al-Saadi is a political prisoner and is being persecuted for his alleged connections to the late Qasem Soleimani, a former Iranian commander killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
The complaint also reveals that al-Saadi allegedly attempted to coordinate attacks on Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. Prosecutors allege that al-Saadi believed he was communicating with a Mexican cartel member to carry out the attacks, but was actually speaking with an undercover agent. He is due back in court on May 29.
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