3 Iran-backed operatives indicted for alleged role in terror plots
Three Iran-backed operatives have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack at a British Royal Air Force base where U.S. troops are stationed.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi was indicted in May on federal charges of conspiracy to provide material support to Iran-backed terrorist organizations. He is now accused in an eight-count superseding indictment of attempting to coordinate with Mohsen Mohajeri and Mohammad Ali al-Hassani to attack the British Royal Air Force base in the U.K. in September.
Attack Preparation
Al-Saadi is currently in federal custody in New York. Federal prosecutors allege that beginning in August, he "directed and paid" associates in the United Kingdom to prepare for and arrange an attack at RAF Fairford. He directed an unnamed individual to conduct surveillance at the air base and later paid multiple unnamed people to organize vans and barrels of fuel.
The indictment alleges that three individuals would drive the fuel-filled vans to RAF Fairford, where they would explode. Prosecutors say Al-Saadi instructed his family members to pass messages to his co-conspirators and told the individuals to mark the vans with custom decals to disguise themselves as a fuel delivery or pool supply business.
give him money so we can do it
Thwarted Plot
On Sept. 26, al-Hassani directed three individuals to drive the vans to RAF Fairford. Two of the vans encountered security checkpoints and were unable to proceed. Law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom recovered three vans with fuel delivery business decals and arrested the drivers.
anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government.
Prosecutors previously alleged that Al-Saadi had plotted to carry out terror attacks in the U.S., including at a prominent Jewish institution in New York. They also accused him of being "involved in the planning, execution and promotion" of approximately 18 reported terror attacks in Europe and two in Canada against U.S. and Israeli interests since March.
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