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A suspect in Hamas’ October 2023 terror attack against Israel that sparked a two-year war between the two sides has been formally charged in federal court.
Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, who has been living in Louisiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Lafayette for conspiring to support a foreign terrorist organization and visa fraud, according to KADN.
He faces up to life in prison in the U.S. if convicted.
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Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi could face up to life in prison in the U.S. if convicted. (St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Al-Muhtadi pleaded not guilty to the charges, KADN reported.
The indictment links Al-Muhtadi to Hamas’ attack, which killed roughly 1,200 people. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were also killed in Israel’s military retaliation.
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Images from an FBI affidavit show Mahmoud Amin Ya-qub Al-Muhtadi posing with rifles and wearing tactical gear. (FBI affidavit)
Authorities claim Al-Muhtadi trained with a Hamas military group before entering the U.S. on a fake visa. He was working at a restaurant until his arrest last week.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Al-Muhtadi should face the legal consequences if he is convicted.
An FBI affidavit includes this image showing Mahmoud Amin Ya-qub Al-Muhtadi holding what appears to be a Glock handgun and magazine. (FBI affidavit / U.S. Department of Justice)
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“Clearly, he’s a war criminal there. But I think there’s multiple ways to pursue this, and I think that if he is guilty, he should have the full consequences of his actions,” Cassidy said in a statement to KADN.
Al-Muhtadi will remain in custody without bond until his trial. A trial date has not yet been set.