SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed in federal court
today charging Jehad Serwan Mostafa, a 37-old U.S. citizen and former San Diego
resident who is on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List, with terrorism
violations arising from his critical role in providing support to the militant
Islamic terrorist organization, al-Shabaab.
The superseding indictment alleges that from no later than
March 2008 through in or about February 2017, Mostafa conspired to provide
material support, including himself as personnel, to terrorists; conspired to
provide material support to al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist
organization (FTO); and provided material support to al-Shabaab.
Mostafa, also known as “Ahmed Gurey,” “Ahmed,” “Anwar,” “Abu
Anwar al Muhajir,” and “Abu Abdallah al Muhajir,” was originally charged in a
three-count indictment in October 2009 with similar charges. The superseding indictment announced today
expands the scope of the indictment alleging that Mostafa’s support of
terrorist activities and al-Shabaab continued up to and including February
2017.
On March 20, 2013, the Department of State’s Reward for
Justice Program offered a reward of up to $5 million dollars for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of Mostafa. U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer said the United
States unsealed the superseding indictment with hopes that Mostafa will be
apprehended and brought to justice. “We believe this defendant is the
highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting overseas with a terrorist organization,”
Brewer said. “Al-Shabaab’s reign of terror threatens U.S. national security,
our international allies and innocent civilians. Today we seek the public’s
assistance in capturing Mostafa and disrupting Al-Shabaab.”
Scott Brunner, the Special-Agent-In-Charge of the San Diego
FBI, stated that Mostafa is currently believed to be in Somalia, and the FBI is
seeking the assistance of the public, both in the United States and East
Africa, in locating and apprehending Mostafa.
SAC Brunner stated that the apprehension and prosecution of Mostafa will
aid in disrupting al-Shabaab’s terrorist activities, which continue to threaten
U.S. national security, our international allies, and innocent civilians, both
U.S. and foreign citizens alike.
SAC Brunner stated that Mostafa was raised in the Serra Mesa
area of San Diego and attended high school and college in San Diego. After graduating from college, in late 2005
at the age of 23, Mostafa departed San Diego, traveling first to Sana’a, Yemen,
and then on to Somalia where he engaged in fighting against internationally
supported Ethiopian forces. Mostafa
eventually joined al-Shabaab, a terrorist group that the U.S. Department of
State designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2008.
Al-Shabaab, meaning “The Youth” in Arabic, is a violent and
brutal militia group that has used intimidation and violence to undermine the
Somali government and the foreign military presence supporting it. The group seeks to control territory within
Somalia in order to establish a society based on its rigid interpretation of
Sharia law. In 2012, it pledged
allegiance to the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda. Over time, al-Shabaab has engaged in external
operations in neighboring countries in pursuit of global jihad. While its terrorist attacks have been
concentrated in East Africa, it has claimed
responsibility for attacks that resulted in injuries to Americans and/or
had ties to San Diego: the 2010 Kampala, Uganda suicide bombing of a bar during
a World Cup soccer match that killed a U.S. citizen working for a San Diego
non-profit organization; and a 2013 attack on the Westgate shopping mall in
Nairobi, Kenya that killed over 60 and injured U.S. citizens, including a
graduate of Torrey Pines High School.
Additionally, as recently as January 15, 2019, al-Shabaab executed a
coordinated attack at the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, where 16 innocent
civilians were killed, including one U.S. citizen.
SAC Brunner stated that for over a decade, Mostafa has
played a critical role in al-Shabaab, including in its media operations,
training of soldiers, and participating in attacks on Somali government forces
and African Union troops. Since 2009,
Mostafa has held leadership positions with al-Shabaab, and today is believed to
be the highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting overseas with a terrorist
organization. In 2011, Mostafa appeared
at a press conference with an al-Shabaab leader, purporting to be an al-Qaeda
emissary. SAC Brunner stated that the
FBI assesses that this media stunt evidences his efforts to facilitate
al-Shabaab’s relationship with other terrorist groups and role in external
operations.
According to SAC Brunner, in 2019, the FBI became aware of
Mostafa’s participation and leadership within al-Shabaab’s explosives
department. Specifically, Mostafa has
been implicated in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in attacks in
Somalia and in improving their effectiveness as a tool of terror. Al-Shabaab has recently used IEDs against
U.S. interests in Somalia. On September
30, 2019, al-Shabaab attacked the Baledogle U.S. military airbase in southern
Somalia where U.S. soldiers are located to support Somali and African Union
troops, and assaulted an Italian military convoy traveling in the Somali
capital of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab claimed
responsibility for both attacks.
Al-Shabaab is resolved to continue attacks on innocent civilians in
Somalia and in the region, and has demonstrated it will go to great lengths to
threaten the security of the United States and our partners.
SAC Brunner noted that the FBI believes Mostafa continues to
play a critical role in planning operations directed against the Somali
government and internationally supported African Union forces in Somalia and
East Africa. As a result, Mostafa continues
to pose a direct threat to U.S. forces, civilians and interests.
The public is reminded that a reward of up to $5 million
dollars is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction
of Mostafa. Anyone with information about Jehad Serwan Mostafa can report tips
anonymously by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at “tips.fbi.gov” or can
contact the nearest FBI office, American Embassy or Consulate.
DEFENDANT
Criminal Case No. 09CR3726-WQH
Jehad Serwan Mostafa Age 37 Somalia (former resident of San
Diego)
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists – Title
18, U.S.C., Section 2339A(a)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine
Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign
Terrorist Organization – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2339B(a)(1)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist
Organization – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2339B(a)(1)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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