Current:Home > FinanceU.S. charges Hezbollah operative who allegedly planned 1994 Argentina bombing that killed 85 -Trailblazer Capital Learning
U.S. charges Hezbollah operative who allegedly planned 1994 Argentina bombing that killed 85
View
Date:2025-04-12 04:41:21
Washington — The Justice Department announced terrorism charges on Wednesday against an operative with the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah who allegedly helped plan the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina.
Samuel Salman El Reda, 58, allegedly coordinated the terrorist organization's activities in South America, Asia and Lebanon beginning in 1993, including the July 18, 1994, bombing in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured hundreds, according to federal prosecutors in New York.
The indictment alleges El Reda, a dual Colombian-Lebanese citizen, relayed information to Hezbollah operatives the day the bombing was carried out. In the years since, he has allegedly helped recruit, train and manage operatives around the world.
Between 2007 and 2015, El Reda deployed operatives to Thailand, Peru, Panama and other places "to conduct pre-operational surveillance in support of attack planning and to assist in stockpiling explosive precursor chemicals such as ammonium nitrate," the indictment said.
He is charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, aiding and abetting the receipt of military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, and conspiring to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization.
El Reda, who is based in Lebanon, remains at large.
"This indictment serves as a message to those who engage in acts of terror: that the Justice Department's memory is long, and we will not relent in our efforts to bring them to justice," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said in a statement.
The U.S. designated Hezbollah — an Iran-backed Shia Islamist militant and political group based in Lebanon — as a terrorist organization in 1997.
- In:
- United States Department of Justice
- Hezbollah
- Argentina
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at cbsnews.com and is based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.
TwitterveryGood! (2348)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Kobe Bryant statue to be unveiled before Los Angeles Lakers' game vs. Denver Nuggets
- Climate scientist Michael Mann wins defamation suit over comparison to molester, jury decides
- US has enough funds for now to continue training Ukrainian pilots on F-16, National Guard chief says
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- California's big cities are usually dry. Floods make a homelessness crisis even worse.
- Kobe Bryant statue to be unveiled before Los Angeles Lakers' game vs. Denver Nuggets
- Sexual violence is an ancient and often unseen war crime. Is it inevitable?
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Cord cutters and cord nevers: ESPN, Fox and Warner sports streaming platform wants you
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Who is Michelle Troconis? What we know about suspect on trial for allegedly covering up Jennifer Dulos' murder
- Kansas-Baylor clash in Big 12 headlines the biggest men's college basketball games this weekend
- Khloe Kardashian Shows Off Son Tatum Thompson’s Growth Spurt in New Photos
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- PHOTO GALLERY: A look at Lahaina in the 6 months since a wildfire destroyed the Maui town
- Who is Michelle Troconis? What we know about suspect on trial for allegedly covering up Jennifer Dulos' murder
- Audit of $19,000 lectern purchase for Arkansas governor almost done
Recommendation
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Why Dakota Johnson Calls Guest Starring on The Office The Worst
EPA Reports “Widespread Noncompliance” With the Nation’s First Regulations on Toxic Coal Ash
17-year-old boy shot and killed by police during welfare check in Columbus, Nebraska
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
USDA warns Trader Joe's chicken pilaf may contain rocks: 'Multiple' complaints, dental injury reported
Alabama bill that would allow lottery, casinos and sports betting headed to first test
Kentucky Senate committee advances bill limiting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives