Iranian Militia Chief Allegedly Orchestrating Attacks from US Prison

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an Iranian militia chief accused of coordinating a series of antisemitic attacks, is allegedly continuing to plot terror attacks from a U.S. detention facility, according to U.S. authorities.

Al-Saadi, a dual citizen of Iran and Iraq, faces eight charges of terrorism related to his alleged activities as an operative of the Iraqi militia group Kataib Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He is also charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (Hayi), another Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militant group.

Authorities claim that al-Saadi, 32, has been using coded language in telephone calls from behind bars to relay orders and has directed more than $1 million in money transfers. The FBI also accuses him of approving propaganda videos to inspire other dissidents. All three groups al-Saadi is linked to have been designated by the U.S. government as foreign terrorist organizations.

Al-Saadi is accused of orchestrating at least 18 terror attacks across Europe and North America since February, including the firebombing of a synagogue in London and the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green. He is also alleged to have overseen a plot to target Jewish individuals at synagogues in America.

He was arrested in Turkey before being transferred to the U.S. During his capture, he reportedly provided an FBI informant, posing as a fellow jihadist, with photos and maps of Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, that he planned to target. He allegedly offered the informant $100,000 to attack a synagogue and instructed that the attack be recorded.

While in detention, the FBI stated that al-Saadi has been communicating with Iranian proxy groups via telephone calls. During one call with his family, he allegedly instructed them to transfer more than $1 million to unknown individuals. Another call was reportedly cut short by the FBI after hearing references to a gun and a request for money to carry out an action.

Al-Saadi's defense attorneys argue that he was joking about a gun during a call with his sister, claiming he was referring to a shotgun wedding for his brother-in-law. They also contend that he should be treated as a prisoner of war, not a criminal detainee, and have filed complaints regarding his detention conditions, citing near-solitary confinement and restricted contact with family as violations of his rights.

Authorities maintain that these measures are necessary to prevent al-Saadi from engaging in further terrorist activities. The Department of Justice has expressed concern that he may be using his calls to plot additional attacks in Europe or North America.

Al-Saadi's defense lawyers also claim he is being targeted due to his past association with former IRGC leader Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Al-Saadi had previously posted about avenging Soleimani's death.

The suspect is expected to face trial next summer. He previously described himself to FBI agents as a "leader of the resistance," which he stated included the IRGC and its proxies.