Two Yemeni nationals charged with conspiring to murder U.S. nationals abroad

Defendants Also Provided Material Support to Al-Qaeda

January 20, 2015 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Eastern District Attorney Loretta Lynch. Eagle file photo

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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle has learned that a complaint and arrest warrant was unsealed Tuesday in federal court in the Eastern District of New York, charging Saddiq Al-Abbadi, also known as “Sufiyan al-Yemeni” and “Sufwan,” and Ali Alvi, also known as “Issa al-Yemeni,” with conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals abroad and providing material support to al-Qaeda. Alvi’s initial appearance was held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke and Al- Abbadi’s initial appearance is scheduled today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom.

Al-Abbadi, 36, and Alvi, 35, were arrested in Saudi Arabia pursuant to the pending warrants in this case and lawfully expelled to the United States.

As alleged in the complaint, Al-Abbadi and Alvi are both members of al-Qaeda who engaged in attacks against United States military forces stationed in Afghanistan.

Between 2003 and 2007, Al-Abbadi also fought against United States military forces in Iraq. In approximately March 2008, Al-Abbadi and Alvi traveled to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan for the purpose of training with and fighting for al-Qaeda. During that time period, both defendants helped an American citizen gain entry into al-Qaeda so that he could fight against U.S. troops in Afghanistan and U.S. citizens in the homeland.

In approximately late spring and summer 2008, Al-Abbadi and Alvi traveled from Pakistan to Afghanistan to conduct attacks against United States military personnel stationed there. Al-Abbadi led a battle against U.S. forces in Paktya Province in May 2008 during which one U.S. Army Ranger was killed and several others were seriously wounded.

“There is no escape from the reach of our law for violent terrorists, especially if they target our military,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Loretta Lynch. “Al-Abbadi and Alvi may have operated in the mountains of Afghanistan, but now they face justice in a courtroom in Brooklyn.”

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.