ISIS Terrorist Who Plotted NYC Attack Gets Additional 50 Years for Assaulting Guards
Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, already serving 40 years, received a new sentence for stabbing two correctional officers, one losing an eye.
An ISIS terrorist who conspired to launch a 9/11-style attack on New York City has been sentenced to an additional 50 years in prison for stabbing two correctional officers, causing one to lose his right eye. Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, 28, of Ontario, Canada, will now serve a combined 90 years after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a December 2020 assault at a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
El Bahnasawy’s original 40-year sentence was for a 2016 plot, inspired by ISIS, to detonate bombs in Times Square and the subway system and open fire on concertgoers during Ramadan. He was arrested in May 2016 after traveling from Canada to New York to prepare for the attacks. At the time, he had expressed a desire to “create the next 9/11.”
While incarcerated, El Bahnasawy attacked a correctional officer on December 7, 2020, using a makeshift weapon fashioned from a steel desk in his cell. The officer sustained injuries to his head and face, resulting in the loss of his right eye. When another officer intervened, El Bahnasawy stabbed her in the hand. A note found in El Bahnasawy’s sock after the incident stated, “This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.” A pledge of allegiance to ISIS was also discovered in his cell.
In November 2025, El Bahnasawy pleaded guilty to charges including assault with intent to commit murder, possession of prison contraband, and providing material support to ISIS. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that the sentence ensures El Bahnasawy will remain imprisoned for a long time, where he can cause less harm.
El Bahnasawy’s attorney, Andy Frisch, attributed the prison assault to his client's ongoing mental health issues, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. Frisch claimed federal authorities failed to provide adequate psychiatric care, despite repeated communications from El Bahnasawy’s parents to prison officials about his medication and treatment needs. The attorney argued that inadequate treatment and frequent transfers between prisons exacerbated his client's condition, leading to a psychotic episode that resulted in the recent sentence.
Frisch indicated that El Bahnasawy and his parents are considering their options regarding an appeal. The Justice Department has been contacted for comment.