The FBI announced the arrest of Mahmoud Amin Ya-qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, who is suspected of allegedly participating in Hamas’ terrorist attacks on civilians in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The affidavit accuses Al-Muhtadi of violating federal law by providing, attempting to provide, or conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization through his alleged involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.
Al-Muhtadi is also accused of fraud and misuse of visa, permits and other documents.
Al-Muhtadi is accused of being part of the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which carried out one of a series of terrorist attacks on Israel that killed over 1,200 people. Cell phone records pinged Al-Muhtadi’s phone at a cell tower in Kfar Aza, the site of one of the attacks.
Prosecutors also obtained recorded calls that allegedly show Al-Muhtadi used that phone to organize a group to participate in the attack. Approximately 60 people were killed and 19 others kidnapped in that attack.
He is also alleged to have falsified the application for a visa to enter the United States. Officials said he was living and working in Lafayette.
As a result of that false application, Al-Muhtadi was able to obtain permission to travel to the United States and obtain Legal Permanent Resident status. Al-Muhtadi is currently residing and working in Lafayette, Louisiana.