An Iraqi national accused of plotting at least 18 attacks in Europe in retaliation for the US and Israel's war with Iran pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court, calling himself a "prisoner of war" and claiming children and women were being killed by US rockets. He is charged with conspiring to provide material support to Iran-backed militant groups Kata'ib Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US. The defendant, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, was persuaded to sit down after speaking out. His lawyer stated he worked for the Iraqi government and was held in solitary confinement in Brooklyn, seeking communication with Iraqi diplomatic counsel and family.
Associated Press filePUBLISHED ONNEW YORK — An Iraqi national accused of plotting at least 18 attacks in Europe in retaliation for the US and Israel's war with Iran pleaded not guilty on Monday before calling himself a "prisoner of war" and telling a judge that children and women were being killed "by your rockets".
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi finally was persuaded to sit down in Manhattan federal court as two marshals approached him at a judge's urging. Al-Saadi did not appear to be trying to be disruptive as he commented beyond his response to the charges. The charges say he conspired to provide material support to Kata'ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militant group, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"I'm not guilty in a war situation," Al-Saadi responded, before adding through an Arabic translator: "I'm a prisoner of war. I'm not a threat. Children and women are being killed by your rockets.
" Judge Colleen McMahon responded by saying: "The defendant will be seated please," which prompted the marshals behind Al-Saadi to move up to where he was seated. Both Kata'ib Hizballah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. have been designated by the US government as foreign terrorist organisations. US prosecutors say Al-Saadi was a Kata'ib Hizballah commander. But his lawyer, Andrew Dalack, told the judge that his client worked for the Iraqi government, though he did not specify what position.
The lawyer said Al-Saadi was held at an underground Turkish prison for two weeks before he was turned over to the FBI. Dalack said Al-Saadi has been held in solitary confinement at a federal lockup in Brooklyn but was hoping to communicate with a diplomatic counsel from Iraq and his mother and siblings, although he expects the US government to severely limit his communications.
Last month when the charges against Al-Saadi were announced, Dalack told reporters that his client believed he was being persecuted for his relationship with Qasem Soleimani, the Revolutionary Guard leader who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020. Among the 18 attacks in Europe, Al-Saadi is charged in the firebombing of a bank in Amsterdam and with stabbing Jewish men in London.
Federal authorities also said in court papers that he sought to attack a New York City synagogue last month and provided an undercover law enforcement officer with photos and maps of Jewish centres in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, that he planned to target. Al-Saadi is also accused of involvement in two recent attacks in Canada: An attack on a synagogue and a shooting at the US consulate in Toronto in March.
US prosecutors said he directed and urged other people to attack US and Israeli interests, including by killing Americans and Jews. Al-Saadi posted about the attacks on Snapchat and Telegram and spoke about them in phone calls recorded by an FBI informant whose help he solicited in planning attacks in the US, according to court papers.
Iraqi National Plotting Attacks Kata'ib Hizballah Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Terrorist Charges
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iran-US-Israel conflict disrupts global methanol supply and oil flowEscalating fighting between Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered a global crisis, closing the Strait of Hormuz and prompting a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. The moves have cut off roughly 25% of world oil shipments and halted Iranian methanol exports, removing more than 30% of the seaborne methanol market. The disruption extends to other Iranian exports such as pistachios, cement and natural gas, affecting supply chains across Asia and the Middle East.
Read more »
Trump Claims Iran Guarantees No Nuclear Weapons as Diplomatic Push Intensifies Over Strait of HormuzPresident Donald Trump says Iran has pledged not to develop nuclear weapons, a development that could reshape negotiations to end Middle East hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while fighting continues in Lebanon and tensions over Iranian assets persist.
Read more »
Trump Sends Tougher Peace Proposal to Iran, Highlighting Ongoing RiftUS President Donald Trump has reportedly sent a revised, tougher peace proposal to Iran, underscoring the significant gaps that remain between the two sides. The development comes as Iran's chief negotiator warned that the United States cannot be trusted, amid complex negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The talks have been fraught with sharp rhetoric and occasional violence, following US and Israeli strikes that impacted Iran's leadership earlier in the year. Trump stated his priority is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ensuring the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more »
Singapore Launches National Digital Wellness Initiative to Empower Parents and Strengthen Online Safeguards for ChildrenSingapore has announced a new digital wellness initiative aimed at helping parents guide their children's online activities from infancy to age 18. The program features a dedicated portal, upcoming children's books, and community workshops. At the launch, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated the country will also enhance regulatory safeguards around children's access to social media amid rising concerns over harmful online content.
Read more »