Syrian Man Arrested on Terrorism Charges After Planning Attack on Christian Church

[Valin]

Department Of Justice

Complaint Alleges Syrian Man Plotted Attacks in the Name of ISIS

June 192019

Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was arrested today based on a federal complaint charging him with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction in relation to his plan to attack a church in Pittsburgh.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Division.

“Targeting places of worship is beyond the pale, no matter what the motivation,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “The defendant is alleged to have plotted just such an attack of a church in Pittsburgh in the name of ISIS.  The National Security Division and our partners will continue our efforts to identify and bring to justice individuals in our country who seek to commit violence on behalf of ISIS and other terrorist organizations.  I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation.”

(Snip)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

[Valin]

Mustafa Mousab Alowemer: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Kieth Mann

June 20 2019

Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, is a Syrian refugee living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was arrested today for planning a terrorist attack on a Christian church. According to a Federal complaint, Alowemer was charged with one count of providing material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction.

Alowemer was born on June 5, 1998, in Daraa, Syria and is, a citizen and national of Syria. He arrived in the United States on August 1, 2016, when he flew into John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. He was admitted to the U.S. as a refugee in August 2016.

(Snip)