Yusuf al-Qaradawi was an Islamist theologian and the unofficial chief ideologue of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Doha-based cleric—known for his extremist rhetoric and militant fatwas (religious decrees)—was one of Sunni Islam’s most influential scholars. Qaradawi was banned from entering the United States,Paul Alster, “White House support of Muslim Brotherhood leaves some in Middle East puzzled,” Fox News, January 16, 2015, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/16/white-house-support-muslim-brotherhood-leaves-some-in-middle-east-puzzled/. the United Kingdom,Vikram Dodd, “Controversial Muslim cleric banned from Britain,” Guardian (London), February 7, 2008, http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/07/religion.politics. France,“France bars entry to four Islamic scholars,” Al Jazeera, March 29, 2012, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/03/201232920819671322.html. and Tunisia“Tunisia bans Yusuf al-Qaradawi from entering the country,” Egypt Today, January 14, 2017, http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/7688/Tunisia-bans-Yusuf-al-Qaradawi-from-entering-the-country. due to his reputation as a violence-inciting Islamist. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates also designated Qaradawi as a terrorist.Malek Harb and Jon Gambrell, “Arab nations add names to terror list amid Qatar dispute,” Associated Press, June 9, 2017, https://apnews.com/0f252c487b7b431682a3555f68703eeb. On September 26, 2022, Qaradawi died at age 96 in Qatar, according to his official Twitter account.“Influential cleric Qaradawi, supporter of Arab Spring uprisings, dies,” Reuters, September 26, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/influential-muslim-cleric-qaradawi-dies-twitter-2022-09-26/; Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Twitter post, September 26, 2022, 6:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/alqaradawy/status/1574344096843698177.

The Brotherhood twice offered Qaradawi leadership positions within the group, but he refused both times, stating he did not want to limit his reach by joining any organization that might “constrain [his] actions.”“Al-Qaradawi turns down top Brotherhood post,” Al Jazeera, January 12, 2004, http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2004/01/2008410145045889729.html. However, he continually cited Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna as his biggest influence.“Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Theologian of Terror,” Anti-Defamation League, March 15, 2011, http://archive.adl.org/nr/exeres/788c5421-70e3-4e4d-bff4-9be14e4a2e58,db7611a2-02cd-43af-8147-649e26813571,frameless.html.

Qaradawi’s rhetoric and fatwas demonstrated his support for terrorism. He urged Muslims who are unable to fight jihad to financially support the mujahedeen (holy warriors).Lamar Smith, “Terrorist Threats to the United States: Congressional Hearing,” Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives, 27. He has supported suicide bombings, lauding the “martyrdom operations in which a given Muslim fighter turns himself or herself into a human bomb that casts terror in the hearts of the enemy.”Lamar Smith, “Terrorist Threats to the United States: Congressional Hearing,” Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives, 27. In 2005, he called suicide bombings in Iraq and Israel a “duty” and wavering in support of this duty is akin to “joining the Zionists and Americans….”Antony Barnett, “Suicide bombs are a duty, says Islamic scholar,” Guardian (London), August 27, 2005, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/28/uk.terrorism. In July 2015, Qaradawi partially reversed his previous ruling on suicide bombings, ruling that they are permissible only for those living under Israeli occupation.“Top Sunni Muslim Cleric Al-Qaradawi Does About-Face, Opposes Suicide Bombings,” Jerusalem Post, July 29, 2015, https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Top-Sunni-Muslim-cleric-al-Qaradawi-does-about-face-opposes-suicide-bombings-410483. In 2016, he forbade all suicide bombings, declaring that the Palestinians had developed “other capabilities,” referring to rockets Hamas has fired at Israel.“Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi Retracts Fatwa Permitting Palestinian Suicide Bombings: No Need for Them Anymore,” MEMRI, November 17, 2016, https://www.memri.org/tv/sheikh-al-qaradhawi-retracts-fatwa-permitting-palestinian-suicide-bombings-no-need-them-anymore/transcript.

Qaradawi referred to Shiite Muslims as mubtadi’oun, or “heretics,” and warned of “[Shiite’s] attempts to invade the Sunni community with their money and cadres trained to do missionary work in the Sunni world.”“The politics of sects,” Al-Ahram, accessed May 6, 2016, http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/Archive/2008/916/eg5.htm. Nonetheless, Qaradawi later claimed that all Muslims have a “duty” to support the Shiite terror group Hezbollah.“Qaradawi urges Muslims to support Hezbollah,” Gulf Times, July 30, 2006, https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210808/http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=99984&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16.

Qaradawi’s writings, speeches, and fatwas have called for the murder of American civilians and troops in Iraq, gay people, and Jews. He also expressed support for domestic violence against women.Melanie Phillips, The World Turned Upside Down, (New York: Encounter Books, 2010), 214; “Sheik Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi: Homosexuals Should Be Punished Like Fornicators But Their Harm Is Less When Not Done in Public,” MEMRI, June 5, 2006, http://www.memri.org/clip_transcript/en/1170.htm. Although Qaradawi condemned the September 11, 2001, attacks, he urged Muslims to abduct and murder Western civilians and troops in Iraq. In 2004, he issued a fatwa stating that “...all of the Americans in Iraq are combatants, there is no difference between civilians and soldiers, and one should fight them, since the American civilians came to Iraq in order to serve the occupation. The abduction and killing of Americans in Iraq is a [religious] obligation so as to cause them to leave Iraq immediately.”“Reactions to Sheikh Qaradhawi’s Fatwa Calling for the Abduction and Killing of American Civilians in Iraq,” MEMRI, October 6, 2004, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/1231.htm. Qaradawi’s fatwa came a week after he signed onto a statement with 92 other Muslim clerics, including members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah, calling for support against U.S. forces in Iraq.“Reactions to Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi's Fatwa Calling for the Abduction and Killing of American Civilians in Iraq,” MEMRI, October 6, 2004, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/1231.htm.

Qaradawi gained eminence throughout the Muslim world by serving as the chairman of numerous Islamic organizations and operating on a variety of media platforms. He headed the Dublin-based European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), an influential European council that issues fatwas for European Muslims in an effort to enforce a parallel legal system of sharia (Islamic law).Soeren Kern, “Europe's Fatwa Factories,” Gatestone Institute, February 3, 2011, http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/1857/europe-fatwa-factories;
“The European Council for Fatwa and Research: 24th ordinary session,” Islamireland.ie, accessed May 6, 2016, http://www.islamireland.ie/events/the-european-council-for-fatwa-and-research-twenty-fourth-ordinary-session/. He also previously served as the president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), a Qatar-based organization of Muslim scholars created in 2004 by clerics reportedly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.Ali Abdelaty and Aziz El Yaakoubi, “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar,” Reuters, December 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8. The United Arab Emirates first designated the IUMS as a terrorist organization in 2014.Zafarul-Islam Khan, “Qaradawi re-elected as President of International Union of Muslim Scholars,” Milli Gazette, September 10, 2014, http://www.milligazette.com/news/10890-qaradawi-re-elected-iums-president-International-Union-of-Muslim-Scholars; “Doha-based Qaradawi rejects UAE blacklisting,” Al Arabiya, November 17, 2014, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/11/17/Doha-based-Qardawi-rejects-UAE-terrorism-designation.html. In late 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain designated the IUMS.“Doha-based Muslim scholars group slams 'terror' claims,” Anadolu Agency, December 1, 2017, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/doha-based-muslim-scholars-group-slams-terror-claims/987063. Qaradawi stepped down as president in November 2018. Ahmad Al-Raysuni was elected as his successor.“International Union of Muslim scholars ‘rejects normalisation with Israel and calls for release of prisoners of conscience,’” Middle East Monitor, November 9, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-rejects-normalisation-with-israel-and-calls-for-release-of-prisoners-of-conscience/.

Qaradawi was well-known for his weekly television program called “Sharia and Life” (“al-Sharīʿa wa al-Ḥayāh”), on which he analyzed numerous topics through the lens of Islamic thought. Al Jazeera hosted the program, which reached approximately 60 million viewers during its height before its end in 2013.Alexander Smoltczyk, “Islam's Spiritual 'Dear Abby': The Voice of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood,” Spiegel, February 15, 2011, http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/islam-s-spiritual-dear-abby-the-voice-of-egypt-s-muslim-brotherhood-a-745526.html; Raf Sanchez, “Qatar’s neighbours have hated Al-Jazeera for 20 years, now they see a chance to destroy it,” Telegraph (London), June 11, 2017, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/11/qatars-neighbours-have-hated-al-jazeera-20-years-now-see-chance/. Qaradawi was one of the first Islamic scholars to launch his own website.Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s personal website, http://www.qaradawi.net/new/Home/page, accessed May 6, 2016. He was also a co-founder of the popular Islamic website IslamOnline.net, which features a larger number of his fatwas.“Yusuf al-Qaradawi,” Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, accessed May 6, 2016, http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/yusuf-al-qaradawi. During his lifetime, he wrote over 120 books,Alexander Smoltczyk, “Islam's Spiritual 'Dear Abby': The Voice of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood,” Spiegel, February 15, 2011, http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/islam-s-spiritual-dear-abby-the-voice-of-egypt-s-muslim-brotherhood-a-745526.html. some of which are included in the Muslim Brotherhood’s educational curriculum.“Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Theologian of Terror,” Anti-Defamation league, March 15, 2011, http://archive.adl.org/nr/exeres/788c5421-70e3-4e4d-bff4-9be14e4a2e58,db7611a2-02cd-43af-8147-649e26813571,frameless.html.

In December 2014, Interpol issued a warrant for Qaradawi’s arrest, citing his involvement in a 2011 jailbreak during the uprising that ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.“ALQARADAWI, YOUSF,” Interpol, accessed February 17, 2015, http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-58772. In May 2015, the Egyptian government sentenced Qaradawi in absentia to death on the same grounds.Agence France-Presse, “Egypt sentences Morsy to death,” Daily Nation, May 16, 2015, http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Egypt-sentences-deposed-Islamist-president-Morsy-to-death/-/1066/2718418/-/28d0sez/-/index.html. Interpol canceled the warrant in September 2017. In June 2017, days after severing diplomatic ties with Qatar because of its ties to terrorism, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates sanctioned Qaradawi as a terrorist because of his links to Qatar.Malek Harb and Jon Gambrell, “Arab nations add names to terror list amid Qatar dispute,” Associated Press, June 9, 2017, https://apnews.com/0f252c487b7b431682a3555f68703eeb. On January 17, 2018, an Egyptian military court sentenced Qaradawi in absentia to life in prison on charges of incitement to murder, spreading false news, and vandalizing public property in relation to the 2015 death of an Egyptian police officer.Andolu News Agency, “Yusuf al-Qaradawi sentenced to life in prison in Egypt,” Al Jazeera, January 18, 2018, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/yusuf-al-qaradawi-sentenced-life-prison-egypt-180118065805129.html.

Qaradawi maintained close relations with the leadership of Qatar, which refused international demands to extradite the cleric.“Qatar: We will not extradite Al-Qaradawi,” Middle East Monitor, September 28, 2017, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170928-qatar-we-will-not-extradite-al-qaradawi/. Qaradawi had also been a frequent guest of honor at celebrations hosted by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who repeatedly physically embraced Qaradawi and seated the cleric next to him in a place of honor.“Ramadan Religious Lesson By Muslim Brotherhood Spiritual Leader Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradawi, Published By Qatari Government Daily: The Jews Opposed Muhammad, Therefore Allah Cursed Them And Turned Them Into Apes And Pigs; The Christians Were Stricken With Ideological Blindness And Strayed,” MEMRI, May 21, 2019, https://www.memri.org/reports/ramadan-religious-lesson-muslim-brotherhood-spiritual-leader-sheikh-yousef-al-qaradawi; Ben Flanagan, “Hate preacher Al-Qaradawi gets ‘best seat in house’ at Qatar emir’s banquet,” Arab News, May 22, 2019, http://www.arabnews.com/node/1500771/middle-east; Ben Flanagan, “Qaradawi and Qatar: the hate preacher who became Doha’s spiritual guide,” Arab News, April 1, 2019, http://www.arabnews.com/node/1475626/middle-east.

Qaradawi largely retired from public life in 2018 and shifted his focus on compiling his works into a single 50-volume encyclopedia.“Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the Muslim scholar who influenced millions,” Al Jazeera, September 27, 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/27/yusuf-al-qaradawi-the-muslim-scholar-who-influenced-millions. On September 26, 2022, Qaradawi died at the age of 96 in Qatar.“Influential cleric Qaradawi, supporter of Arab Spring uprisings, dies,” Reuters, September 26, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/influential-muslim-cleric-qaradawi-dies-twitter-2022-09-26/. Qatari Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, his representative Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Minister of Endowments Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanim attended Qaradawi’s September 27 funeral in Doha. Also in attendance were Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal, as well as Turkey’s head of religious affairs, Ali Erbash. During the funeral, Haniyeh eulogized Qaradawi as “our sheikh and role model” who believed “jihad and resistance are the way to liberate” Palestine.“Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Hamas and Qatar officials attend funeral of Islamic cleric in Doha,” Middle East Eye, September 27, 2022, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-qaradawi-hamas-attend-funeral-egypt-cleric-doha. Despite Qaradawi’s death, the following month the Cairo Criminal Court added Qaradawi to Egypt’s terror list for a minimum of three years.“Egypt court includes late Sheikh Qaradawi on terror list despite his death,” Middle East Monitor, October 18, 2022, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221018-egypt-court-includes-late-sheikh-qaradawi-on-terror-list-despite-his-death/.

Anwar al-Awlaki was a U.S.-Yemeni dual citizen and longtime cleric, propagandist, and operative for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. On September 30, 2011, Awlaki was targeted and killed in Yemen in the first U.S. drone strike to deliberately target a U.S. citizen.Spencer Ackerman, “US cited controversial law in decision to kill American citizen by drone,” Guardian (London), http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/us-justification-drone-killing-american-citizen-awlaki. While he was alive, Awlaki directed a number of terrorist plots against the United States,“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. and disseminated English- and Arabic-language videos, audio recordings, and articles online.“Cleric al-Awlaki dubbed ‘bin Laden of the Internet,’” USA Today, last updated September 30, 2011, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-25-1A_Awlaki25_CV_N.htm. Awlaki’s teachings—still widely available on the Internet—continue to inspire scores of terrorist attacks, frequently aimed at the United States.“Anwar al-Awlaki’s Ties to Extremists,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed September 2016, http://www.counterextremism.com/anwar-al-awlaki?utm_source=Nationbuilder&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Awlaki%20Resource. CEP continues to identify these extremists in its online resource, Anwar al-Awlaki’s Ties to Extremists.

In November 2017, in response to external pressure from governments and CEP, Google drastically reduced the amount of Awlaki’s recorded lectures from its YouTube platform.“CEP Statement on YouTube Removal of Anwar al-Awlaki Material,” Counter Extremism Project, November 14, 2017, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/cep-statement-youtube-removal-anwar-al-awlaki-material-0; Scott Shane, “In ‘Watershed Moment,’ YouTube Blocks Extremist Cleric’s Message,” New York Times, November 12, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/12/us/politics/youtube-terrorism-anwar-al-awlaki.html.

Awlaki was born in New Mexico in 1971 and moved to Yemen with his family at the age of 7. He returned to the United States in 1990 to study engineering at Colorado State University, where he served as president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and delivered sermons at the Islamic Center of the Fort Collins in Fort Collins, Colorado.Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html; Bruce Finley, “Muslim Cleric Targeted by U.S. Made Little Impression During Colorado Years,” The Denver Post, April 11, 2010, http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_14861059. According to terror analyst J.M. Berger, in 1993, Awlaki may have spent his summer training with the muhajideen in Afghanistan.J.M. Berger, Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam (Washington, D.C., Potomac Books Inc., 2011), https://books.google.com/books?id=LomKwVXd-o8C&pg=PT184&lpg=PT184&dq=summer+1993+awlaki+%2B+afghanistan&source=bl&ots=JnXxd00Vzf&sig=PbwAmJhS1Qh-JsmKajWKZLcKf2o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7_ZGqtqPPAhWBKB4KHdvEB7oQ6AEIIzAC#v=onepage&q=summer%201993%20awlaki%20%2B%20afghanistan&f=false; Cynthia Ghazali, “Anwar al-Awlaki, Al Qaeda chief, killed in Yemen by U.S. airstrike: Timeline of his life,” NY Daily News, September 30, 2011, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/anwar-al-awlaki-al-qaeda-chief-killed-yemen-u-s-airstrike-timeline-life-article-1.958573.

In the mid-late 1990s, while living in California, Awlaki became more involved in his local Muslim community while privately engaging in illegal activities. Between 1996 and 2000, Awlaki served as imam at the Arribat al-Islami (Rabat) mosque in San Diego,Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html. but was twice arrested for soliciting prostitutes.“Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki 'spent thousands on prostitutes as he traveled the U.S. spreading his message of radical Islam',” Daily Mail, July 2, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2353860/Al-Qaeda-leader-Anwar-al-Awlaki-spent-thousands-prostitutes.html;
“Anwar al-Awlaki Fast Facts,” CNN, August 23, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/world/meast/anwar-al-awlaki-fast-facts/. Awlaki is also believed to have participated in the financing of terror.J.M. Berger, “Exclusive: U.S. Gave Millions to Charity Linked to Al Qaeda, Anwar Awlaki,” INTELWIRE, April 14, 2010, http://news.intelwire.com/2010/04/us-gave-millions-to-charity-linked-to.html; Tom Hays, “FBI Eyes NYC 'Charity' in Terror Probe,” The Washington Post, February 26, 2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9947-2004Feb26.html. From 1998 to 1999, Awlaki served as vice president of the Charitable Society for Social Welfare, which one FBI agent later referred to as a “front organization to funnel money to terrorists.”J.M. Berger, “Exclusive: U.S. Gave Millions to Charity Linked to Al Qaeda, Anwar Awlaki,” INTELWIRE, April 14, 2010, http://news.intelwire.com/2010/04/us-gave-millions-to-charity-linked-to.html; Tom Hays, “FBI Eyes NYC 'Charity' in Terror Probe,” The Washington Post, February 26, 2004, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9947-2004Feb26.html.

The FBI opened an investigation on Awlaki in June 1999 upon receiving a tip that he had been contacted by one of Osama bin Laden’s agents in the United States.The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, official government edition (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), p. 517, http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf; J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. However, the investigation was closed in March of 2000 due to insufficient evidence.Joseph Rhee and Mark Schone, “How Anwar Awlaki Got Away,” ABC News, November 30, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/FtHoodInvestigation/anwar-awlaki/story?id=9200720. Days before the FBI closed his file, Awlaki met and allegedly befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mindhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, who reportedly attended the San Diego mosque at which Awlaki preached.The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, official government edition (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), p. 221, http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf; J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. In 2001, Awlaki settled in Falls Church, Virginia, and became imam at the Dar Al Hijrah mosque, one of the largest mosques in the United States.Cynthia Ghazali, “Anwar al-Awlaki, Al Qaeda Chief, Killed in Yemen by U.S. Airstrike: Timeline of His Life,” NY Daily News, September 30, 2011, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/anwar-al-awlaki-al-qaeda-chief-killed-yemen-u-s-airstrike-timeline-life-article-1.958573;
Associated Press, “Al-Qaida Cleric Death: Mixed Emotions at Virginia Mosque Where He Preached,” Guardian (London), September 30, 2011, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/30/anwar-awlaki-mosque-virginia-worshippers; “Inside Dar Al-Hijrah,” Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/inside-dar-al-hijrah/2011/09/02/gIQAZzju2J_gallery.html. That year, Awlaki also reportedly met 9/11 hijacker Hani Hanjour.J.M. Berger, “Anwar Al-Awlaki's Links to the September 11 Hijackers,” Atlantic, September 9, 2011, http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/09/anwar-al-awlakis-links-to-the-september-11-hijackers/244796/. Although Awlaki met these three 9/11 hijackers before the attacks, Awlaki’s complicity in the attacks remains inconclusive. However, one detective told the 9/11 commission that he believed Awlaki “was at the center of the 9/11 story.”Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” The New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html.

Awlaki lived in the United States until 2002, when he moved to London before relocating to Yemen as late as 2004.“Anwar al-Awlaki Fast Facts,” CNN, August 23, 2013, http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/world/meast/anwar-al-awlaki-fast-facts/;
Scott Shane and Souad Mekhennet, “Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad,” New York Times, May 8, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html. He was jailed in Yemeni prison for 18 months between mid-2006 and late 2007 on charges of kidnapping for ransom and plotting alongside al-Qaeda to kidnap a U.S. military attaché.“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. Soon after his release, Awlaki traveled to his family’s ancestral home in Shabwah province, Yemen, and joined AQAP there a few months later, soon becoming a key leader in the group.Scott Shane, “The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki,” New York Times, August 27, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html?_r=0.

As a senior leader of AQAP, Awlaki helped to set the group’s strategic direction, recruit and train operatives, and direct attacks against U.S. interests.“Treasury Designates Anwar Al-Aulaqi, Key Leader of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 16, 2010, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg779.aspx. In the summer of 2009, Awlaki met with Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab—colloquially known as the “underwear bomber”—in Yemen. Awlaki helped Abdulmutallab to film a “martyrdom video,” and instructed him to blow up a civilian airliner above the United States. On Christmas Day, 2009, Abdulmutallab carried out the failed attempt to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 en route to Detroit.“United States of America. v. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab,” United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan Southern Division, September 10, 2012, 12-14, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/documents/umar-farouk-abdul-mutallab-sentence-brief.pdf;
David Ariosto and Deborah Feyerick, “Christmas Day Bomber Sentenced to Life in Prison,” CNN, February 17, 2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/16/justice/michigan-underwear-bomber-sentencing/.

Awlaki had documented ties to a number of other terrorists. In early 2009, Awlaki was in contact via email with Nidal Hasan, the U.S. Army Major who in November 2009 killed 13 soldiers at the Fort Hood military post near Killeen, Texas.“Anwar Awlaki E-Mail Exchange with Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan,” INTELWIRE, July 19, 2012, http://news.intelwire.com/2012/07/the-following-e-mails-between-maj.html. Roughly a year after the attack, Awlaki referred to Hasan as a “hero.”“In quotes: Anwar al-Awlaki,” BBC News, September 30, 2011, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15124351. Awlaki was also involved in an October 2010 plot to blow up a U.S. cargo plane flying from Yemen to the United States.“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. The bomb, disguised as an ink cartridge, was built by AQAP’s chief bomb maker Ibrahim al-Asiri and was timed to detonate as the plane flew over the eastern seaboard of the United States. The bomb was removed by British police after a tip from Saudi intelligence.Gordon Rayner and Duncan Gardham, “Cargo plane bomb plot: ink cartridge bomb ‘timed to blow up over US,’” Telegraph (London), November 10, 2010, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8124226/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-ink-cartridge-bomb-timed-to-blow-up-over-US.html. In 2011, Awlaki instructed British citizen Minh Quang Pham to carry out a suicide bombing at London’s Heathrow International Airport. Pham, who trained alongside AQAP in Yemen during the first half of 2011, was arrested by British authorities in June 2012.“Documents in Al Qaeda Case,” New York Times, May 10, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/10/world/middleeast/document-al-qaeda-court-case.html?_r=0;
“Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces The Extradition Of Defendant From United Kingdom For Providing Material Support To, And Receiving Military Training From, Al Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-extradition-defendant-united-kingdom-providing-material. Despite Awlaki’s principle role in AQAP, at some point in 2010, when AQAP nominated Awlaki as a possible new leader, bin Laden reportedly vetoed the appointment.Peter Bergen, “The Last Days of Osama bin Laden,” Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-last-days-of-osama-bin-laden-11627657283.

President Barack Obama authorized the killing of Awlaki in April 2010. In defense of the decision to target an American citizen, director of national intelligence Dennis C. Blair told a House hearing that “if we think that direct action will involve killing an American, we get specific permission to do that.”Scott Shane, “U.S. Approves Targeted Killing of American Cleric,” New York Times, April 6, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/middleeast/07yemen.html?_r=0. In January 2011, Awlaki was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia by a Yemeni court for his connection to the killing of a French engineer in Yemen.“Yemen Sentences Awlaki in Absentia,” Al Jazeera, January 17, 2011, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011117133558339969.html. Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone strike on September 30, 2011, while traveling between Marib and Jawf provinces in Yemen.Mark Mazzetti, Eric Schmitt, and Robert F. Worth, “Two-Year Manhunt Led to Killing of Awlaki in Yemen,” New York Times, Septmeber 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/anwar-al-awlaki-is-killed-in-yemen.html.

In the announcement of Awlaki’s death, Obama referred to the U.S.-Yemeni terrorist as AQAP’s “director of external operations.”“Remarks by the President at the "Change of Office" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” The White House, September 30, 2011, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/30/remarks-president-change-office-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-ceremony. While Awlaki took a principal role in directing attacks against the United States, his vast collection of propagandizing material—widely available online—directly inspired individuals around the world to carry out attacks, especially in the West. Among Awlaki’s followers was failed bomber Faisal Shahzad, who attempted to detonate a car bomb in Manhattan’s Times Square in May 2010. Shahzad later told investigators that he had been inspired by Awlaki’s online sermons.Scott Shane and Mark Mazzetti, “Times Sq. Bomb Suspect Is Linked to Militant Cleric,” New York Times, May 6, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/middleeast/07awlaki-.html. Roshonara Choudhry, a British student who stabbed Labor MP Stephen Timms in May 2010 because he had voted in favor of invading Iraq, was also reportedly self-radicalized online by Awlaki’s sermons.Vikram Dodd and Alexandra Topping, “Roshonara Choudhry jailed for life over MP attack,” Guardian (London), November 3, 2010, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/03/roshonara-choudhry-jailed-life-attack.

Even after his death, Awlaki’s ideology has motivated homegrown extremists to commit acts of terror. The Tsarnaev brothers, who carried out the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013, had watched YouTube videos of Awlaki’s lectures.Scott Shane, “The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki,” New York Times, August 27, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html?_r=1;
Ann O’Neill, “The 13^th Juror: The radicalization of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” CNN, March 30, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/us/tsarnaev-13th-juror-jahar-radicalization/;
“United States of America v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev a/k/a/ ‘Jahar Tsarni,’” United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, June 27, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ma/legacy/2013/06/27/Indictment1.pdf. They also built the pressure cooker bombs used in the attack from instructions in AQAP’s online magazine Inspire, which was founded by Awlaki in 2010.Ian Black, “Inspire magazine: the self-help manual for al-Qaida terrorists,” Guardian (London), May 24, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/may/24/inspire-magazine-self-help-manual-al-qaida-terrorists;
Sari Horwitz, “Investigators sharpen focus on wife of dead Boston bombing suspect,” Washington Post, May 3, 2013, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/investigators-sharpen-focus-on-boston-bombing-suspects-widow/2013/05/03/a2cd9d28-b413-11e2-baf7-5bc2a9dc6f44_story.html. In addition, the Kouachi brothers who carried out the January 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo were both reported to have met Awlaki in Yemen while training with AQAP.“Kouachi brothers had weapons training in Yemen,” Al Jazeera America, January 11, 2015, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/11/kouachi-france.html.

Awlaki’s radicalizing influence was also apparent in the May 2015 attack on the “Draw Muhammad” cartoon contest in Garland, Texas,Dan Frosch and Ana Campoy, “Mother of Texas Gunman Sought to Keep Son From Extremism,” Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/mother-of-texas-gunman-sought-to-keep-son-from-extremism-1430951298. as well as the December 2015 San Bernardino shootings that killed 14. Following the San Bernardino attack, evidence emerged that one of the perpetrators, Syed Rizwan Farook, had listened to Awlaki’s sermons since at least 2011.“U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: U.S. v. Enrique Marquez, Jr.,” Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, 4, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800606/download;
Adam Nagourney, Richard Perez Pena, and Ian Lovett, “Neighbor of San Bernardino Attackers Faces Terrorism Charges,” New York Times, December 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/18/us/san-bernardino-enrique-marquez-charges-justice-department.html. In the wake of the June 2016 Orlando shootings, it was revealed that shooter Omar Mateen had previously listened to Awlaki’s sermons.Gabe Gutierrez and Erik Ortiz, “Friend Who Told FBI About Orlando Shooter Omar Mateen Saw a ‘Red Flag,’” NBC News, June 21, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/friend-who-told-fbi-about-orlando-shooter-omar-mateen-saw-n596496.

Mujahid Miski is the online persona of Muhammed Abdullahi Hassan, a Minnesota man of Somali descent wanted by the FBI for providing material support to the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab.“Wanted by the FBI,” FBI, accessed May 6, 2015, http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/providing-material-support-1. Miski reportedly left for Somalia as a teenager in 2008 to join al-Shabab“Esme Murphy, “Former Minnesota Man Played Key Role In Inciting Texas Terror Attack,” WCCO-TV, May 4, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/04/former-minnesota-man-played-key-role-in-inciting-texas-terror-attack/. as part of a wave of at least 23 Minnesota men who joined the African terrorist group and other terrorist groups between 2007 and 2013.Laura Yuen and Sasha Aslanian, “Timeline: Minnesota pipeline to al-Shabab,” Minnesota Public Radio, last updated September 25, 2013, http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/somali_timeline/table.shtml. Miski has created a broad social-media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Ask.fm to recruit for ISIS and al-Shabab.Source for image: FBI as cited by Channel 4, "Former Minnesota Man Played Key Role In Inciting Texas Terror Attack," Somali Agenda, May 5, 2015, https://somaliagenda.com/former-minnesota-man-played-key-role-in-inciting-texas-terror-attack/.

CEP has repeatedly called on Twitter to permanently remove Miski and other extremist users. Twitter has suspended Miski’s accounts upwards of 30 times.Michael Isikoff, “Twitter under pressure to act more aggressively against terrorists,” Yahoo News, February 18, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/twitter-under-pressure-to-act-more-aggressively-against-terrorists-230347109.html. Each time, Miski has reappeared with a new account and resumed posting messages of support for ISIS, communicating with would-be jihadists, and encouraging violence. In some instances, Miski has been able to create new Twitter accounts only minutes after his prior account was suspended, and has retained his followers with each profile iteration.

In a February 2014 tweet Miski claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda.Anthony L. Kimery, “Jabhat Al Nusra Praises American Suicide Bomber As Other Americans Join Jihad,” Homeland Security Today, May 30, 2014, http://www.hstoday.us/blogs/the-kimery-report/blog/jabhat-al-nusra-praises-american-suicide-bomber-as-other-americans-join-jihad/a6587ed6e14ba6897f595ea82741faef.html. He is also a prominent cheerleader and networker for ISIS and corresponds with ISIS fighters and supporters on social media. Miski has been described as “one of the go-to individuals online” for people who want to travel to ISIS-controlled territory. Authorities believe Miski is still in Somalia.Evan Perez, Pamela Brown, and Jim Sciutto, “Texas attackers had private conversations with known terrorists,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/fbi-warning-elton-simpson-cartoon-event-attack/index.html.

According to ABC News, Miski had reportedly been in contact “for months” with Elton Simpson, one of the two shooters responsible for the May 3, 2015 attack on the American Freedom Defense Initiative’s “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest” in Garland, Texas.Catherine Shoichet and Michael Pearson, “Garland, Texas, shooting suspect linked himself to ISIS in tweets,” CNN, May 4, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/garland-mohammed-drawing-contest-shooting/; Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz, Randy Kreider, and James Gordon Meek, “The American Terror Recruiter’s Link to Texas Shooting,” ABC News, May 5, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-terror-recruiters-link-texas-shooting/story?id=30827653. Ten days before the attack, Miski praised the Charlie Hebdo shooting online and said, “It’s time for brothers in the #US to do their part.” Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz, Randy Kreider, and James Gordon Meek, “The American Terror Recruiter’s Link to Texas Shooting,” ABC News, May 5, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-terror-recruiters-link-texas-shooting/story?id=30827653. Miski then told Simpson over Twitter, “One individual is able to put a whole nation onto it’s [sic] knees.” Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz, Randy Kreider, and James Gordon Meek, “The American Terror Recruiter’s Link to Texas Shooting,” ABC News, May 5, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-terror-recruiters-link-texas-shooting/story?id=30827653.

Miski calls for an attack on U.S. soil 10 days before the attack in Garland, Texas

Eight days before the Garland attack, Miski tells Garland shooter Elton Simpson that “one individual is able to put a whole nation onto it’s [sic] knees.”

Hours before the attack, the FBI warned Garland police that Simpson had shown interest in the event in online conversations with Miski.Evan Perez, Pamela Brown, and Jim Sciutto, “Texas attackers had private conversations with known terrorists,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/fbi-warning-elton-simpson-cartoon-event-attack/index.html. Shortly after the Texas attack, which wounded one security official and left Simpson and co-shooter Nadi Soofi dead, Miski tweeted that he would miss his daily correspondence with Simpson.Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz, Randy Kreider, and James Gordon Meek, “The American Terror Recruiter’s Link to Texas Shooting,” ABC News, May 5, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-terror-recruiters-link-texas-shooting/story?id=30827653. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, although that claim has not been verified.Holly Yan, “ISIS claims responsibility for Texas shooting but offers no proof,” CNN, May 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/05/us/garland-texas-prophet-mohammed-contest-shooting/.

In November 2014, using the Twitter handle @The Minnesotan3, Miski called for the beheading of CEP President Fran Townsend.“CEP Calls on Twitter to Take Immediate Action to Stop Extremist Misuse of Its Platforms,” Counter Extremism Project, November 21, 2014, http://www.counterextremism.com/press/cep-calls-twitter-take-immediate-action-stop-extremist-misuse-its-platforms; Esme Murphy, “Former Minnesota Man Played Key Role In Inciting Texas Terror Attack,” WCCO-TV, May 4, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/04/former-minnesota-man-played-key-role-in-inciting-texas-terror-attack/.

Miski threatens to behead CEP President Fran Townsend in November 2014

In a December 2014 Twitter Direct Message to Minneapolis-St. Paul television station KMSP, Miski promised “the caliphate will reach everywhere,” including the White House.Tom Lyden, “Minnesota man’s ISIS connection to Garland, Texas shooting,” KMSP Fox 9, May 5, 2015, http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/28975221/minnesota-mans-isis-connection-to-garland-texas-shooting. He refused comment when KMSP asked if al-Shabab had planned suicide bombings inside the United States.Tom Lyden, “Minnesota man’s ISIS connection to Garland, Texas shooting,” KMSP Fox 9, May 5, 2015, http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/28975221/minnesota-mans-isis-connection-to-garland-texas-shooting. Miski blamed the April 2015 Baltimore riots on “the oppression of democracy” and called for the implementation of sharia.“Extremists Use #BaltimoreRiots To Spread Propaganda, Recruit New Members,” Counter Extremism Project, https://storify.com/CEP/isis-extremists-user-baltimoreriots-to-spread-prop?utm_content=buffer8c50b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer. Below are some examples of Miski’s incendiary tweets:

Miski calls for the slaughter of a female, Jewish captive in December 2014

Miski calls for the murder of Jews following the November 2014 attack on the Har Nof synagogue in Jerusalem in which Palestinian assailants murdered four worshippers and one Druze policeman

Miski threatens the beheading of Americans and Brits in October 2014

On July 16, 2015, jihadist Twitter users began reporting that Miski had died, though his death remained unconfirmed. On October 22, 2015, a Twitter user with the handle @Bint_Hjrateyn announced Miski “will be back once Allah grants him safety. He is still in hiding from the Harakah.” In comments to the post, the Twitter user said Miski’s home had been raided and there are groups looking for him.Umm Zubaydah, Twitter post, October 22, 2015, 6:45 a.m., https://twitter.com/Bint_Hjrateyn/status/657145693509976064. The user also posted a link to a Twitter account allegedly belonging to Miski.Umm Zubaydah, Twitter post, October 22, 2015, 6:46 a.m., https://twitter.com/Bint_Hjrateyn/status/657146122230697985. That account, user name Salafi Jihadi #Somal and handle @jihadist_s, began tweeting on September 20, 2015.Salafi Jihadi #Somal, Twitter, accessed October 22, 2015, https://twitter.com/jihadist_s.

Twitter users falsely report Miski’s death in July 2015.

Twitter users discuss claims that Miski has resurfaced online.

Twitter user claims that Miski has resurfaced online under the handle @jihadist_s. Other Twitter users debate his whereabouts.

On December 7, 2015, the U.S. State Department issued a statement saying that Miski had in fact “surrendered to the Federal Government of Somalia on November 6, 2015.”Email from U.S. State Department spokesman, December 7, 2015. The State Department confirmed that Miski was a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and that he was in the custody of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency in Mogadishu. The State Department further disclosed that the U.S. Mission to Somalia was in talks with the Somali government regarding the case. Currently, there is no extradition agreement between Somalia and the United States, according to the U.S. State Department.Email from U.S. State Department spokesman, December 7, 2015. Miski reportedly said he has “no intention of coming back” to the United States.Dan Joseph and Harun Maruf, “American Al-Shabab, Nabbed in Somalia, Denies IS Links,” Voice of America, December 8, 2015, http://m.voanews.com/a/american-al-shabab-arrested-in-somalia-denies-links-to-is/3093529.html.

In an exclusive interview with Voice of America while in custody, Miski admitted to working for al-Shabab’s “media and preaching departments” but claimed that he left in 2013 because he believed the group was unfairly imprisoning, torturing, and killing people. He claimed members of al-Shabab raided his home in early November 2015. Miski said he escaped after they blindfolded and terrorized his family. He further claimed villagers from the southern Somali town of Barawe reported him to the police after they saw him walking through a nearby forest earlier that month.Dan Joseph and Harun Maruf, “American Al-Shabab, Nabbed in Somalia, Denies IS Links,” Voice of America, December 8, 2015, http://m.voanews.com/a/american-al-shabab-arrested-in-somalia-denies-links-to-is/3093529.html.

Based on his past contact with Simpson and other Twitter conversations, U.S. authorities investigated whether Miski had possibly radicalized Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, the couple who murdered 14 people during a December 2015 rampage in San Bernadino, California.Richard Winton and Richard A. Serrano, “Did Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik get help in terror plot?,” Los Angeles Times, December 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardino-shooters-radicalized-but-did-they-get-help-20151208-story.html. Miski admitted to Voice of America that he had voiced support for ISIS but denied any ties to the group. He denied any contact with the couple.Dan Joseph and Harun Maruf, “American Al-Shabab, Nabbed in Somalia, Denies IS Links,” Voice of America, December 8, 2015, http://m.voanews.com/a/american-al-shabab-arrested-in-somalia-denies-links-to-is/3093529.html.

Some Twitter users reacted to the news of Miski’s arrest by praying for him, while others doubted the veracity of the news or called for vengeance.

Twitter user Abu Ramzi Ashami, using the handle @_Abu_Ramzi_, claimed Miski did not turn himself in but “got caught by the apostate government of Somalia.” Ashami released several tweets denying the official State Department version of events.Abu Ramzi Ashami, Twitter post, December 8, 2015, 8:30 a.m., https://twitter.com/_Abu_Ramzi_/status/674219564863987712.

British-born Sally Jones was a U.N.-designated recruiter and propagandist for ISIS. Jones operated on Twitter, threatening the lives of U.S. veterans Robert O’Neill and Dillard Johnson, among others. In May 2016, Sally Jones issued terrorist threats against the United Kingdom, including calling upon Muslim women to launch terrorist attacks in London, Glasgow, and Wales during Ramadan.Alexandra Sims, “Sally Jones: Isis recruiter 'issues series of terror threats against UK cities' over Twitter,” Independent (London), May 26, 2016, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sally-jones-isis-recruiter-issues-series-of-terror-threats-to-uk-cities-over-twitter-a7049066.html.

Jones converted to Islam in 2013 claiming, in social media exchanges with Sunday Times reporter Dipesh Gadher, that the Iraq War “turned her” to ISIS.Dipesh Gadher, “Sally Jones: ‘My son and I love life with the beheaders’,” Sunday Times, September 7, 2014, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sally-jones-my-son-and-i-love-life-with-the-beheaders-wtvzx0xwqjb. Jones traveled to Syria sometime in the winter of 2013-2014 with her 9-year-old son to live in ISIS-controlled territory.Dipesh Gadher, “Sally Jones: ‘My son and I love life with the beheaders’,” Sunday Times, September 7, 2014, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sally-jones-my-son-and-i-love-life-with-the-beheaders-wtvzx0xwqjb.

In September 2015 Jones was placed on the U.N.’s most wanted list, by the request of British Prime Minister David Cameron, for affiliation with al-Qaeda and facilitating and recruiting for ISIS.“Sally-Anne Frances Jones Security Council,” United Nations, September 28, 2015, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/sally-anne-frances-jones. Jones responded via Twitter stating that she would continue to fight “England…until my last breath.”Ben Riley-Smith, “British jihadists plotting attacks for Isil added to worldwide 'banned list' by David Cameron,” Telegraph, September 29, 2015, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11897649/David-Cameron-adds-British-jihadists-plotting-attacks-for-Isil-to-worldwide-banned-list.html. This was the first time a country placed its own citizen on the U.N.’s most wanted list for association with ISIS.Ben Riley-Smith, “British jihadists plotting attacks for Isil added to worldwide 'banned list' by David Cameron,” Telegraph, September 29, 2015, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11897649/David-Cameron-adds-British-jihadists-plotting-attacks-for-Isil-to-worldwide-banned-list.html.

In addition to her online activity, Jones was the leader of the secret “Anwar al-Awlaki” female battalion of ISIS. In this role, Jones was responsible for training all European female recruits, or “muhajirat,” in the use of weapons and tactics. These muhajirat are then trained and instructed to carry out suicide missions in the West, according to leaked ISIS documents.Jodie Ensor, “Revealed: Isil bride Sally Jones's role in training female recruits for attacks on West,” Telegraph, September 11, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/11/revealed-isil-white-widow-sally-joness-role-in-training-female-r/.

A Twitter account—purportedly operated by Jones—links to a U.S. government website announcing her U.S. designation.

Sally Jones threatens specific members of the U.S. military on October 3, 2015, five days after her U.N. designation.

Sally Jones threatens specific members of the U.S. military on October 8, 2015, ten days after her U.N. designation.

Jones was the wife of Junaid Hussain, the deceased British computer hacker formerly in charge of recruiting new hackers to ISIS. After Hussain was reportedly killed by a U.S. drone strike in September 2015, Jones boasted that her husband was killed by “the greatest enemy of Allah.”Tom Whitehead, “Widow of British jihadist ‘proud’ he was killed by US,” Telegraph (London), September 15, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11866046/Widow-of-British-jihadist-proud-he-was-killed-by-US.html.

Jones, who went by the moniker “Umm Hussain al-Britani,” used her Twitter account to propagandize for the group and release incendiary statements, including her wish to behead a Western prisoner in Syria and behead Christians with a ‘blunt knife.’Chris Greenwood, “Revealed: Benefits mother-of-two from Kent once in all-girl rock band who is now jihadi in Syria - and wants to ‘behead Christians with a blunt knife,’” Daily Mail (London), last updated September 1, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2739006/Revealed-How-middle-aged-mother-two-Kent-used-girl-rock-band-reinvented-jihadi-threatening-behead-Christians-blunt-knife.html. She also served as a recruiter for ISIS“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Four Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, September 28, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12059.doc.htm. and has used social media to incite to violence. It is believed Jones recruited dozens of women to ISIS before the account under her pseudonym was shut down.Josie Ensor, “Revealed: Isil Bride Sally Jones’s Role in Training Female Recruits for Attacks on West,” Telegraph, September 11, 2016, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/11/revealed-isil-white-widow-sally-joness-role-in-training-female-r/. Jones has been associated with more than 20 handles on Twitter.Ewen MacAskill, “British Isis Member Sally Jones 'killed in Airstrike with 12-year-old Son',” Guardian, October 12, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/12/british-isis-member-sally-jones-white-widow-killed-airstrike-son-islamic-state-syria.

In September 2015, Jones threatened U.S. military personnel, publishing 100 soldiers’ personal information in a “kill list.” Jones has also made individual soldiers the subject of her tweets, including a Navy Seal veteran who took part in Operation Geronimo to kill Osama bin Laden and a former army sergeant.Umm Hussain Britaniya, Twitter post, October 8, 2015, 1:16, p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHussain1/status/652170797914566656. American court documents released in spring 2017 linked Jones and her husband to a dozen ISIS plots, none of which were successfully carried out. Jones is believed to be one of the only women to have had a leadership role in ISIS.Josie Ensor, “Revealed: Isil Bride Sally Jones’s Role in Training Female Recruits for Attacks on West,” Telegraph, September 11, 2016, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/11/revealed-isil-white-widow-sally-joness-role-in-training-female-r/.

Sally Jones has called for attacks on the U.S. military

Before converting to Islam and joining ISIS, Jones reportedly lived on welfare and played guitar in a punk rock band. Soon before she fled to Syria, Jones worked as a perfume saleswoman for L’Oreal cosmetics.Colleen Curry, “A British Mother Reportedly Left Welfare Behind and Is Now Helping Recruit For The Islamic State,” Vice News, December 22, 2014, https://news.vice.com/article/a-british-mother-reportedly-left-welfare-behind-and-is-now-helping-recruit-for-the-islamic-state. She was reportedly interested in and contributed to online forums on conspiracy theories, black magic, and witchcraft.Chris Greenwood, “Revealed: Benefits mother-of-two from Kent once in all-girl rock band who is now jihadi in Syria - and wants to ‘behead Christians with a blunt knife’,” Daily Mail (London), last updated September 1, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2739006/Revealed-How-middle-aged-mother-two-Kent-used-girl-rock-band-reinvented-jihadi-threatening-behead-Christians-blunt-knife.html.

Jones was reportedly killed, in a U.S. drone strike close to the border between Syria and Iraq. There has been no official confirmation of her death.Ewen MacAskill, “British Isis Member Sally Jones 'killed in Airstrike with 12-year-old Son',” Guardian, October 12, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/12/british-isis-member-sally-jones-white-widow-killed-airstrike-son-islamic-state-syria. A source told the Telegraph in November 2017 that Jones’ son was alive and living near Syria’s eastern border with Iraq, however, there was no way to substantiate this claim.Josie Ensor, “Revealed: Isil Bride Sally Jones’s Role in Training Female Recruits for Attacks on West,” Telegraph, September 11, 2016, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/11/revealed-isil-white-widow-sally-joness-role-in-training-female-r/.

Junaid Hussain was a British computer hacker and member of ISIS, according to U.S. officials.Elliott C. McLaughlin, “ISIS jihadi linked Garland attack has long history as hacker,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/06/us/who-is-junaid-hussain-garland-texas-attack/.  He used Twitter, Surespot, and other media to incite attacks in the United States and Britain, as well as propagandize for the terrorist group's activities. Hussain allegedly developed ISIS’s cyber division and taught hackers how to break into bank accounts.Ewen MacAskill, “Briton lead suspect after US Central Command’s Twitter account is hacked,” Guardian (Manchester), January 14, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/14/briton-suspect-us-central-command-twitter-hack-junaid-hussain-tony-blair; Russell Myers, “Jihadist hackers targeting celebrity and business bank accounts to fund Islamic State terror campaign,” Daily Mirror (London), August 15, 2014, http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jihadist-hackers-targeting-celebrity-business-4057294. Authorities allege that Hussein radicalized and directly encouraged Elton Simpson to carry out the May 3, 2015 attack with Nadir Soofi on a draw-Muhammad contest in Garland, Texas. Investigators are uncertain how much of a role Hussain played in the Simpson attack, but believe he may have had foreknowledge.Elliott C. McLaughlin, “ISIS jihadi linked Garland attack has long history as hacker,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/06/us/who-is-junaid-hussain-garland-texas-attack/;
Colleen Curry, “A British Mother Reportedly Left Welfare Behind and Is Now Helping Recruit For The Islamic State,” Vice News, December 22, 2014, https://news.vice.com/article/a-british-mother-reportedly-left-welfare-behind-and-is-now-helping-recruit-for-the-islamic-state. Almost immediately following the attack Hussain praised Simpson and Soofi on Twitter and called for death to “those That Insult the Prophet.”Evan Perez, Pamela Brown, and Jim Sciutto, “Texas attacker had private conversations with known terrorists,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/fbi-warning-elton-simpson-cartoon-event-attack/index.html.

Hussain also stands accused of directly communicating with and encouraging U.S. terror suspect Usaamah Abdullah Rahim to carry out an attack on U.S. soil.Brett Gibbons, “Kings Heath terrorist Junaid Hussain gave bomb tips to extremist planning UK attack,” Birmingham Mail, April 1, 2016, http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/kings-heath-terrorist-junaid-hussain-11125081; Jack Moore, “Briton Who Plotted U.S. Soldier Beheading Had Deadly Links to ISIS  Cyber Chief in Syria,” Newsweek, April 1, 2016, http://www.newsweek.com/brit-who-plotted-us-soldier-beheading-had-deadly-links-isiss-cyber-chief-syria-443071. Hussain also allegedly sought to incite violence against Jon Ritzheimer, a former U.S. Marine who organized a controversial Draw Muhammad contest in Phoenix, Arizona, in response to the contest in Garland.David Francis, “Islamic State Calls for Lone-Wolf Attack on Arizona Man Planning Muslim Protest,” Foreign Policy, May 29, 2015, https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/29/islamic-state-calls-for-lone-wolf-attack-on-arizona-man-planning-muslim-protest/. U.S. officials confirmed Hussain’s death is a U.S. drone strike in Syria in late August, 2015.“UK jihadist Junaid Hussain killed in Syria drone strike, says US,” BBC News, August 27, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34078900. In January 2016, 20-year-old Kosovar hacker Ardit Ferizi was charged in a U.S. court for hacking personal information of American service members. Ferizi reportedly released personal details of 1,300 U.S. military and government personnel to Hussain, who posted the information online in August 2015.Pete Williams, “Hacker Accused of Giving Military Personal Data to ISIS in U.S. Court,” NBC News, January 27, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hacker-accused-giving-military-personal-data-isis-u-s-court-n505406.

Hussain, who grew up in England, fled the United Kingdom for Syria in July 2013 to join ISIS.Elliott C. McLaughlin, “ISIS jihadi linked Garland attack has long history as hacker,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/06/us/who-is-junaid-hussain-garland-texas-attack/; Colleen Curry, “A British Mother Reportedly Left Welfare Behind and Is Now Helping Recruit For The Islamic State,” Vice News, December 22, 2014, https://news.vice.com/article/a-british-mother-reportedly-left-welfare-behind-and-is-now-helping-recruit-for-the-islamic-state. U.S. and British authorities believe Hussain was part of an ISIS group of British jihadists dubbed “the Beatles,” one of whom executed American journalist James Foley in 2014.Nick McCarthy and Amardeep Bassey, “FBI to hunt Jihadists in our midst as Birmingham man linked to beheading of James Foley,” Birmingham Mail, August 24, 2014, http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/fbi-hunt-jihadists-midst-birmingham-7663367. The group also included the terrorist known as Jihadi John. Hussain later offered to reveal Jihadi John’s identity to the British newspaper the Daily Mail in return for payment but the paper refused.Abdul Taher, “IS fighter said ‘I’ll identify Jihadi John…if you buy me a £3k car’: British extremist who once hacked Tony Blair’s personal details attempts to bribe the Mail on Sunday,” Mail on Sunday (London), November 1, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2817329/IS-fighter-said-ll-identify-Jihadi-John-buy-3k-car-British-extremist-hacked-Tony-Blair-s-personal-details-attempts-bribe-MoS.html.

Hussain used his “Abu Hussain al Britani” Twitter persona to recruit for ISIS and call for violence.Ewen MacAskill, “Briton lead suspect after US Central Command’s Twitter account is hacked,” Guardian (Manchester), January 14, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/14/briton-suspect-us-central-command-twitter-hack-junaid-hussain-tony-blair. He used Twitter to promise the jihadi flag would fly over the White House and Downing Street,Brett Gibbons, “Birmingham hacker Junaid Hussain among Brits fighting in Syria,” Birmingham Mail, June 19, 2014, http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-hacker-junaid-hussain-syria-7291864. call for the murder of Israeli diplomats, and pledge to wage jihad until death.Nick McCarthy and Amardeep Bassey, “FBI to hunt Jihadists in our midst as Birmingham man linked to beheading of James Foley,” Birmingham Mail, August 24, 2014, http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/fbi-hunt-jihadists-midst-birmingham-7663367. Twitter deleted Hussain’s accountsMark Hosenball, “British hacker linked to attack on Pentagon’s Twitter feed: sources,” Reuters, January 13, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/14/us-cybersecurity-pentagon-cybercaliphate-idUSKBN0KN00X20150114. but he quickly creates new ones, such as the one he used to communicate with Simpson in Texas.Evan Perez, Pamela Brown, and Jim Sciutto, “Texas attacker had private conversations with known terrorists,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/fbi-warning-elton-simpson-cartoon-event-attack/index.html.

Authorities believe Hussain was involved in a 2014 ISIS plot to steal millions of dollars through a series of cyberattacks on British banks.Russell Myers, “Jihadist hackers targeting celebrity and business bank accounts to fund Islamic State terror campaign,” Daily Mirror (London), August 15, 2014, http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jihadist-hackers-targeting-celebrity-business-4057294. Hussain reportedly led ISIS’s CyberCaliphate hacker group, which hacked the U.S. Central Command’s social media accounts in January 2015.Mark Hosenball, “British hacker linked to attack on Pentagon’s Twitter feed: sources,” Reuters, January 13, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/14/us-cybersecurity-pentagon-cybercaliphate-idUSKBN0KN00X20150114; Ewen MacAskill, “Briton lead suspect after US Central Command’s Twitter account is hacked,” Guardian (Manchester), January 14, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/14/briton-suspect-us-central-command-twitter-hack-junaid-hussain-tony-blair. The following month, the CyberCaliphate hacked various U.S. and international media companies and threatened First Lady Michelle Obama and the Obama children over Twitter.Michael Martinez, “Cyberwar: CyberCaliphate targets U.S. military spouses; Anonymous hits ISIS,” CNN, February 11, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/us/isis-cybercaliphate-attacks-cyber-battles/index.html. While the CyberCaliphate’s attacks have largely been to gain publicity for ISIS, cyber security experts warn the group could cause massive damage to global critical infrastructure.Emma Graham-Harrison, “Could Isis’s ‘cyber caliphate’ unleash a deadly attack on key targets,?” Guardian (Manchester), April 12, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/12/isis-cyber-caliphate-hacking-technology-arms-race.

Hussain was involved in cybercrime since he was a teenager. At age 18, Hussain was part of a British hacker group called Team Poison. The group famously hacked former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s email account and released personal information online. The group also attacked Scotland Yard, NATO, and the British National Party, and worked with the hacker group Anonymous to target banks.Hannah Furness, “Team Poison: profile of the hackers,” Telegraph (Kent), April 12, 2012, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/9200751/Team-Poison-profile-of-the-hackers.html. Hussain went to prison for six months for the Blair hack.“‘Team Poison’ hacker who posted Tony Blair’s details is jailed,” Telegraph (Kent), July 27, 2012, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet-security/9432459/Team-Poison-hacker-who-posted-Tony-Blairs-details-is-jailed.html. A former Team Poison member told CNN that Hussain was capable of stealing millions of dollars through cyberattacks.Elliott C. McLaughlin, “ISIS jihadi linked Garland attack has long history as hacker,” CNN, May 7, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/06/us/who-is-junaid-hussain-garland-texas-attack/l.

In April 2016, the U.S. Justice Department revealed that Hussain had communicated with Usaamah Abdullah Rahim ahead of the 26-year-old’s June 2015 attack on police officers and FBI agents, during which he was killed. According to court documents, Hussain had encouraged Rahim to kill political activist and critic of Islam Pamela Gellar, who had recently organized a the Prophet Muhammad contest in Texas May 3. Instead, Rahim chose to attack the police.Adam Goldman, “Well-known ISIS operative instructed Americans to kill organizer of Muhammad cartoon contest, prosecutors reveal,” Washington Post, April 22, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/04/21/well-known-isis-operative-instructed-americans-to-kill-organizer-of-muhammad-cartoon-contest-prosecutors-reveal/. Earlier that month, prosecutors in the trial of British terrorist Junead Khan revealed that he and Hussain had exchanged several messages over the online app Surespot about targeting U.S. military personnel in Britain. Hussain reportedly told Khan he could provide addresses of U.S. soldiers based in the United Kingdom. Hussain also said he would provide a manual for making a pressure-cooker bomb. Khan was arrested in July 2015 and convicted of preparing a terrorist act.Brett Gibbons, “Kings Heath terrorist Junaid Hussain gave bomb tips to extremist planning UK attack,” Birmingham Mail, April 1, 2016, http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/kings-heath-terrorist-junaid-hussain-11125081; Jack Moore, “Briton Who Plotted U.S. Soldier Beheading Had Deadly Links to ISIS  Cyber Chief in Syria,” Newsweek, April 1, 2016, http://www.newsweek.com/brit-who-plotted-us-soldier-beheading-had-deadly-links-isiss-cyber-chief-syria-443071.

Musa Cerantonio is an Australian Islamist preacher who has inspired numerous foreign fighters to join jihadist groups in Syria. According to the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), Cerantonio is “an outspoken cheerleader for ISIS”Joseph A. Carter, Shiraz Maher, and Peter R. Neumann, “#Greenbirds: Measuring Importance and Influence in Syrian Foreign Fighter Networks,” International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, April 2014, 2, http://icsr.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ICSR-Report-Greenbirds-Measuring-Importance-and-Infleunce-in-Syrian-Foreign-Fighter-Networks.pdf. and one of two English-speaking “spiritual authorities” influencing Westerners to fight abroad.Joseph A. Carter, Shiraz Maher, and Peter R. Neumann, “#Greenbirds: Measuring Importance and Influence in Syrian Foreign Fighter Networks,” International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, April 2014, 82, http://icsr.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ICSR-Report-Greenbirds-Measuring-Importance-and-Infleunce-in-Syrian-Foreign-Fighter-Networks.pdf. Australian police arrested Cerantonio and five others in May 2016 for allegedly preparing to sail to Indonesia with the intent of reaching Syria to join ISIS.Michael Safi and Josh Robertson, “Musa Cerantonio among men arrested after allegedly trying to sail to Indonesia,” Guardian (London), May 11, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/musa-cerantonio-among-men-arrested-after-allegedly-trying-to-sail-to-indonesia; “Leader of Australia's ‘tinnie terror’ plot jailed for 7 years,” Reuters, May 3, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-security-court/leader-of-australias-tinnie-terror-plot-jailed-for-7-years-idUSKCN1S90OH. In 2019, Cerantonio pled guilty to plotting violence in a foreign country and was sentenced to seven years in prison.Rohan Smith, “Leader of ‘tinnie terror’ plot Robert Cerantonio jailed over 2016 plot,” News.com.au, May 3, 2019, https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/leader-of-tinnie-terror-plot-robert-cerantonio-jailed-over-2016-plot/news-story/11ae7412dd3b4a329bf5f027e805a634. In June 2021, Cerantonio renounced ISIS and acknowledged his responsibility in fomenting violent extremism.David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7.

Before his arrest, Cerantonio had long corresponded with ISIS fighters through social media.John Safran, “Musa Cerantonio: Muslim convert and radical supporter of Islamic State,” Sydney Morning Herald, January 17, 2015, http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/musa-cerantonio-muslim-convert-and-radical-supporter-of-islamic-state-20150116-121c8s.html. He frequently used social media to call for the assassination of U.S. leadersShiv Malik and Michael Safi, “Revealed: the radical clerics using social media to back British jihadists in Syria,” Guardian, April 15, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/preachers-spiritual-cheerleaders-social-media-syria-london-university. and praise jihadists in Syria.

In 2013, Cerantonio hosted the English-language show “Ask the Sheikh,” in which he answered questions on sharia (Islamic law) from viewers around the world. The program aired on the Saudi satellite network Iqraa, and was available in Austria, Africa, Asia, the U.S., and Europe.“Australian Islamist Musa Cerantonio Glorifies Jihad, Supports Jabhat Al-Nusra In Syria,” Middle East Media Research Institute, March 11, 2013, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7070.htm.

Cerantonio moved to the Philippines in 2013John Safran, “Musa Cerantonio: Muslim convert and radical supporter of Islamic State,” Sydney Morning Herald, January 17, 2015, http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/musa-cerantonio-muslim-convert-and-radical-supporter-of-islamic-state-20150116-121c8s.html; Alex White, “Hate cleric Musa Cerantonio had been a Catholic,” Herald Sun, July 11, 2014, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/hate-cleric-musa-cerantonio-had-been-a-catholic/story-fni0fee2-1226986227281. where he used YouTube to call for jihad and praise ISIS, according to the Philippine police who deported Cerantonio in July 2014.“Philippines deports Australian Islamic preacher,” Associated Press, July 24, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/philippines-deports-australian-islamic-preacher. Australian authorities have called Cerantonio’s social media posts “offensive and disturbing” but said they do not violate Australian law.Matt Siegel, “Australian Islamist returns home to surveillance, not jail,” Reuters, July 22, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/23/us-australia-islamist-idUSKBN0FS04S20140723. His Twitter and Facebook accounts have been shut down but many of his videos remain on YouTube.

Born Robert Cerantonio to an Irish-Catholic family, Cerantonio converted to Islam when he was 17 years old.Melissa Hills, “‘You CAN go to paradise even if you are killed by a woman’: Aussie hate preacher dismisses ISIS fears of ‘virgin-less heaven’ if they are killed by Kurdish female fighters,” Daily Mail, November 7, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2825314/Australian-hate-preacher-posts-new-extremist-messages-online-telling-fighters-Paradise-die-Islamic-faith.html. Cerantonio is an aficionado of Islamic history. In particular, he enjoys retelling the story of “when the Muslims fought Dracula,” the death of Ottoman leader Muhammad al-Fateh at the hands of Vlad the Impaler. He married a Filipino woman, Joan Montayre, who remained in the Philippines after he was deported in July 2014. He also has two daughters from a previous marriage to a Lebanese woman in Australia.John Safran, “Musa Cerantonio: Muslim convert and radical supporter of Islamic State,” Sydney Morning Herald, January 17, 2015, http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/musa-cerantonio-muslim-convert-and-radical-supporter-of-islamic-state-20150116-121c8s.html.

Cerantonio has been largely quiet on social media since he returned to Australia. In January 2016, media reports revealed that he was maintaining an Instagram account under an alias after he posted a picture of himself at the Vatican holding a black flag with the Arabic for “There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.” The picture was reportedly up to four years old. Cerantonio largely posted pictures of himself on the account, according to reports. As of April 2016, he reportedly had 127 followers on Instagram and followed 178 accounts, mostly belonging to ISIS supporters.Candace Sutton, “Australian jihadi extremist returns to social media preaching with photo holding Islamic flag outside the Vatican to promote view that 'Christians don't deserve churches,’” Daily Mail, January 6, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3387835/Australian-jihadi-extremist-returns-social-media-preaching-photo-holding-Islamic-flag-outside-Vatican-promote-view-Christians-don-t-deserve-churches.html;
“Pro-ISIS Australian Cleric Musa Cerantonio Active on Instagram,” MEMRI, April 8, 2016, http://cjlab.memri.org/lab-projects/tracking-jihadi-terrorist-use-of-social-media/pro-isis-australian-cleric-musa-cerantonio-active-on-instagram/.

Australian federal police arrested Cerantonio and four other Australian men on May 10, 2016, on the suspicion that they were planning to sail to Indonesia. The group had towed a seven-meter boat for at least 31 hours from Melbourne to Cape York in Queensland when police arrested them. The group reportedly bought the boat in Melbourne, and it appeared to be at least 30 years old. It was the first known attempt by would-be foreign fighters to leave the country by boat, according to Attorney General George Brandis.Michael Safi and Josh Robertson, “Musa Cerantonio among men arrested after allegedly trying to sail to Indonesia,” Guardian (London), May 11, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/musa-cerantonio-among-men-arrested-after-allegedly-trying-to-sail-to-indonesia;
Dan Oakes and Sam Clark, “Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio among five arrested over alleged plan to join Islamic State,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 11, 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-11/preacher-among-five-arrested-over-alleged-plan-to-join-is/7403344.

According to Australian police, the five were “very committed” to getting to Syria.Paul Farrell, Melissa Davey, and Joshua Robertson, “Police foil alleged jihadi plot to sail dinghy from Australia to Indonesia,” Guardian (London), May 10, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/police-foil-alleged-jihadi-plot-to-sail-dinghy-from-australia-to-indonesia. Arrested with Cerantonio were Kadir Kaya, Shayden Thorne, Paul James Dacre, and Antonino Granata. All five had previously had their passports revoked.Michael Safi and Josh Robertson, “Musa Cerantonio among men arrested after allegedly trying to sail to Indonesia,” Guardian (London), May 11, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/musa-cerantonio-among-men-arrested-after-allegedly-trying-to-sail-to-indonesia. Ten search warrants were issued in Melbourne and Queensland in connection to the investigation.Australian Associated Press, “Men charged over alleged terrorism boat plot to be extradited to Melbourne,” Guardian (London), May 16, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/16/men-charged-over-alleged-terrorism-boat-plot-to-be-extradited-to-melbourne. Shane Patton, deputy commissioner of the Victoria police, labeled the five a “security interest” and police investigated their intentions to become foreign fighters in Syria.Michael Safi and Josh Robertson, “Musa Cerantonio among men arrested after allegedly trying to sail to Indonesia,” Guardian (London), May 11, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/musa-cerantonio-among-men-arrested-after-allegedly-trying-to-sail-to-indonesia. Cerantonio and the other four men were charged with “making preparations for incursions into foreign countries for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities.” The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.Agence France-Presse, “Five face terror charges over Australia-Syria boat plan,” Telegraph (London), May 15, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/15/five-face-terror-charges-over-australia-syria-boat-plan/. On May 27, 2016, police arrested a sixth conspirator, Murat Kaya, Kadir Kaya’s older brother. The older Kaya had intended to travel with the group but had pulled out prior to their departure.“6th Australian charged in boat terror plot,” Anadolu Agency, May 27, 2016, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/6th-australian-charged-in-boat-terror-plot/579446.

The Brothers Behind Bars Facebook page has called for donations to pay for the legal fees of Cerantonio and his four alleged co-conspirators. The group’s goal is to “provide community support for incarcerated Muslims in Australia.”Brothers Behind Bars, Facebook page, accessed May 17, 2016, https://www.facebook.com/Brothers-Behind-Bars-883478791762874/?fref=nf. Radical British preacher Abu Haleema also uploaded a YouTube video chastising Australian imams for “remaining silent” while Cerantonio is “oppressed” by the Australian government.“Muslim Prisoners || Musa Cerantonio || Abu Haleema @3Abu11H,” YouTube video, 3:54, posted by Abu Haleema Media, May 15, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SztvKSMtmxs.

In February 2019, Cerantonio and his five co-conspirators pled guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for hostile activities in a foreign country. Dacre, Granata, and Kadir Kaya were each sentenced to four years in prison, Justice Michael Croucher said the four men would not have been involved if not for the “charismatic” Cerantonio.Emma Younger, “Influential Philippines plot ringleader not stereotypical Islamic extremist, court hears,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 15, 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-15/robert-cerantonio-phillipines-incursion-boat-plea-hearing/10905442; Agence France-Presse, “‘Tinnie terrorists’ jailed in Australia for Philippines boat plot,” Yahoo News, February 22, 2018, https://news.yahoo.com/tinnie-terrorists-jailed-australia-philippines-boat-plot-083357281.html; “Australian judge jails extremist for Philippines boat plot,” Associated Press, May 3, 2019, https://www.apnews.com/8d99f6084e414c3bb2f459501bdb2bd0. Murat Kaya was sentenced to three years and eight months.Agence France-Presse, “‘Tinnie terrorists’ jailed in Australia for Philippines boat plot,” Yahoo News, February 22, 2018, https://news.yahoo.com/tinnie-terrorists-jailed-australia-philippines-boat-plot-083357281.html. Cerantonio and Thorne also pled guilty but were not sentenced at the same time.Agence France-Presse, “‘Tinnie terrorists’ jailed in Australia for Philippines boat plot,” Yahoo News, February 22, 2018, https://news.yahoo.com/tinnie-terrorists-jailed-australia-philippines-boat-plot-083357281.html. Thorne was sentenced a week later to three years and 10 months in prison.Karen Percy, “Melbourne man sentenced over plot to support Muslim militants in the Philippines,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, February 26, 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-26/shayden-thorne-sentenced-to-jail-over-foreign-incursion-plan/10851518. On May 3, 2019, Cerantonio was sentenced to seven years in prison with a minimum non-parole period of five years and three months.Rohan Smith, “Leader of ‘tinnie terror’ plot Robert Cerantonio jailed over 2016 plot,” News.com.au, May 3, 2019, https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/leader-of-tinnie-terror-plot-robert-cerantonio-jailed-over-2016-plot/news-story/11ae7412dd3b4a329bf5f027e805a634. Due to time already served since their arrests in 2016, most of the conspirators were released under government restrictions in 2020. Murat Kaya was released on parole in January 2020.Kelsey Wilkie and Australian Associated Press, “Notorious 'tinnie terrorist' will walk free from jail TODAY after less than four years behind bars despite his ‘continued contempt towards non-Muslims and extremist ideology,’” Daily Mail (London), January 22, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7918199/Notorious-tinnie-terrorist-Murat-Kaya-walk-free-Melbourne-jail-TODAY.html. Thorne was released that March.Frances Bell, “Convicted terrorist Shayden Thorne can use Zoom, computers for study, court rules,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, August 17, 2020, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-17/convicted-terrorist-shayden-thorne-gets-relaxed-court-order/12567230. Granata was released that May.Jack Paynter and Caroline Schelle, “Antonino Alfio Granata accused of breaching control order,” Australian (New South Wales), December 2, 2020, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/tinnie-terrorist-antonino-alfio-granata-accused-of-breaching-control-order/news-story/7c6c22f276406fc1980aa3cb6543df9e. Kaya and Granata were re-arrested in November 2020 for parole violations related to cellphone usage. The court ruled the violations were “not sinister.”George Moore, “Convicted tinnie terrorists back in court,” 7News, December 1, 2020, https://7news.com.au/news/crime/tinnie-terrorist-murat-kaya-granted-bail-c-1683755.

In October 2021, Australian media reported Cerantonio had written a letter to a friend that past June renouncing “Islam and jihadist extremism.”David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7. Cerantonio wrote he felt “terrible” knowing he influenced others to “dedicate themselves to tyrannical death cults.”David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7. According to the letter, Cerantonio had spent a large amount of time reading and researching while in prison and undergone a “religious and ideological belief since mid-2019.”David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7. In the letter, Cerantonio referred to ISIS as “suicidal maniacs” and a “death cult.”David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7. Cerantonio wrote he had “something of a duty to clean up the mess to which” he contributed.David Hurley, “Tinnie terrorist renounces ‘evil’ wrongs in prison letter,” Herald Sun (Southbank), October 10, 2021, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/tinnie-terrorist-renounces-evil-wrongs/news-story/13a949f65b3870d5407e789cabb4afb7.

In a March 2022 piece for the Atlantic, journalist Graeme Wood revealed he had been the recipient of Cerantonio’s 2021 letter renouncing ISIS. According to Wood, Cerantonio also renounced Islam and became an atheist and reader of renowned atheist and author Richard Dawkins—though Cerantonio has said he still disagrees with Dawkins in several areas. In Wood’s account, Cerantonio reached his conclusion about Islam while studying the Quran in prison. He focused on a figure in the 18th chapter of the Quran called Dhu-l Qarnayn, “the two-horned one.” According to Wood, Cerantonio noted similarities between Dhu-l Qarnayn and a fabulized version of Alexander the Great in Aramaic, which he later determined the Quran had plagiarized. Cerantonio wrote to Wood, “Realizing that Dhu-l Qarnayn was not at all a real person but was rather based on a fictional account of Alexander the Great instantly left me with only one possible conclusion: The Quran was not divinely inspired.”Graeme Wood, “Why an ISIS Propagandist Abandoned Islam,” Atlantic, March 31, 2022, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/deprogramming-isis-supporters-jihadi-extremism/629433/. Cerantonio told Wood ISIS’s murderous activities were consistent with what he knew of Islamic teachings, but the Alexander plagiarism failed intellectual tests.Graeme Wood, “Why an ISIS Propagandist Abandoned Islam,” Atlantic, March 31, 2022, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/deprogramming-isis-supporters-jihadi-extremism/629433/. After abandoning Islam, Cerantonio began using his English name, Robert. While serving the remainder of his sentence, he has also met with other jihadists in prison to help deprogram them. Wood reported Cerantonio has had some success but his own deprogramming—based on in-depth readings using multiple translations—is not easily replicated because of the time, patience, and level of education necessary to reach the same conclusions as Cerantonio.Graeme Wood, “Why an ISIS Propagandist Abandoned Islam,” Atlantic, March 31, 2022, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/deprogramming-isis-supporters-jihadi-extremism/629433/.

Hawazen Sameer Mothafar is a propagandist for ISIS. A legal permanent resident of the United States, Mothafar produced and distributed material on pro-ISIS media sites detailing how to use explosives and wield knives.Natalie O’Neill, “Portland man accused of creating, distributing ISIS propaganda online,” New York Post, November 6, 2020, https://nypost.com/2020/11/06/portland-man-accused-of-creating-disturbing-isis-propaganda/.

Allegedly an ISIS supporter since 2014, Mothafar pledged allegiance to ISIS in February 2019.“Oregon man accused of producing ISIS propaganda arrested,” Associated Press, November 6, 2020, https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oregon-man-accused-producing-isis-propaganda-arrested-74063124. Starting in February 2015, Mothafar allegedly edited, produced, and distributed articles for the pro-ISIS media site Al Dura’a al Sunni (also known as Sunni Shield) that publishes a newspaper called Al-Anfal. Mothafar published over 32 issues of Al-Anfal that included several articles with titles such as “Effective Stabbing Techniques” and “How Does a Detonator Work.”Natalie O’Neill, “Portland man accused of creating, distributing ISIS propaganda online,” New York Post, November 6, 2020, https://nypost.com/2020/11/06/portland-man-accused-of-creating-disturbing-isis-propaganda/.

One article, published in Al-Anfal in June 2018, encouraged readers to carry out attacks in their home countries if they were unable to join ISIS abroad.Conrad Wilson, “Oregon resident charged with aiding ISIS,” KLCC, November 5, 2020, https://www.klcc.org/post/oregon-resident-charged-aiding-isis. According to a senior ISIS official who is currently in custody in Iraq, Mothafar had created a Facebook account for said official and also helped to open additional social media and email accounts for ISIS members.Maxine Bernstein, “Oregon man accused of producing, distributing propaganda in support of ISIS,” Oregon Live, November 5, 2020, https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/11/troutdale-man-accused-of-producing-distributing-propaganda-in-support-of-isis.html; Conrad Wilson, “Oregon resident charged with aiding ISIS,” KLCC, November 5, 2020, https://www.klcc.org/post/oregon-resident-charged-aiding-isis.

Mothafar allegedly shared more than 70 images of explosives and western cities with Sunni Sheild members, claiming “the images of destroyed infidel cities will be useful.”Maxine Bernstein, “Oregon man accused of producing, distributing propaganda in support of ISIS,” Oregon Live, November 5, 2020, https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/11/troutdale-man-accused-of-producing-distributing-propaganda-in-support-of-isis.html. Additionally, in December 2019, Mothafar attempted to get information on the piloting of a drone for Saleck Ould Cheikh Mohamedou—an Islamic extremist who was convicted and eventually incarcerated in Mauritania for attempting to assassinate Mauritania’s former president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.Trevor Boyer, “Oregon man is charged with working with ISIS over five years to create propaganda and training materials - but feds don't seek pre-trial detention because he has physical disabilities,” Daily Mail, November 6, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8922251/Oregon-man-charged-creating-propaganda-training-materials-ISIS-five-years.html.

On November 5, 2020, Mothafar was arrested by federal authorities in Oregon. A day later, Mothafar appeared in a Portland federal court via video conference where he pleaded not guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization.“Oregon man accused of producing ISIS propaganda arrested,” Associated Press, November 6, 2020, https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oregon-man-accused-producing-isis-propaganda-arrested-74063124.

Mothafar, who has physical disabilities and is confined to a wheelchair, was not detained on the condition that he limit the use of electronic devices and stay in Oregon.“Portland-Area Resident Indicted for Providing Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 5,2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/portland-area-resident-indicted-providing-material-support-isis. Mothafar is also accused of being a conduit of information from ISIS to Sunni Shield, as well as moderating Sunni Shield’s private social media chat rooms—one of which was called “Designers Workshop – Sunni Shield”—and creating a “bot” that would respond to inquiries, spread information and make user identities anonymous.Trevor Boyer, “Oregon man is charged with working with ISIS over five years to create propaganda and training materials - but feds don't seek pre-trial detention because he has physical disabilities,” Daily Mail, November 6, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8922251/Oregon-man-charged-creating-propaganda-training-materials-ISIS-five-years.html; Conrad Wilson, “Oregon resident charged with aiding ISIS,” KLCC, November 5, 2020, https://www.klcc.org/post/oregon-resident-charged-aiding-isis. Additionally, Mothafar faces a charge of lying on an immigration form, claiming he had never associated with any terrorist group.Trevor Boyer, “Oregon man is charged with working with ISIS over five years to create propaganda and training materials - but feds don't seek pre-trial detention because he has physical disabilities,” Daily Mail, November 6, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8922251/Oregon-man-charged-creating-propaganda-training-materials-ISIS-five-years.html. Each count of providing material support to a designated terrorist organization carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with an additional maximum 25-year sentence if Mothafar facilitated an act of international terrorism.Maxine Bernstein, “Oregon man accused of producing, distributing propaganda in support of ISIS,” Oregon Live, November 5, 2020, https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/11/troutdale-man-accused-of-producing-distributing-propaganda-in-support-of-isis.html.

A 20-day jury trial was scheduled for January 5, 2021 before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Marco Hernandez.Conrad Wilson, “Oregon resident charged with aiding ISIS,” KLCC, November 5, 2020, https://www.klcc.org/post/oregon-resident-charged-aiding-isis. However, the trial has been delayed until November 21, 2021.Andrew Selsky, “Citing complexities, judge delays Islamic State support case,” Associated Press, January 5, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/trials-islamic-state-group-media-classified-information-portland-6628401aa10b837664d6b1cd2407b1d7.

Adel Abdel Bary is an Egyptian national who was al-Qaeda’s Europe-based propagandist in the 1990s. Additionally, he was the co-conspirator of two bombing attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam in August 1998. The attacks killed at least 200 people and injured thousands of others.“East African Embassy Bombings,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/east-african-embassy-bombings; Fiona Hamilton, “Adel Abdel Bary: Bin Laden’s spokesman flies to Britain,” Times, December 12, 2020, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/adel-abdel-bary-uk-flight-hc0jtwcmg. Bary is also the father of Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, a former rapper turned ISIS operative who the Spanish police later called “one of the most sought terrorists in Europe.”Rich Calder, “Dad of ‘John the Beatle’ suspect admits Osama terror plot,” New York Post, September 19, 2014, https://nypost.com/2014/09/19/dad-of-john-the-beatle-admits-to-98-embassy-bomb-plot-with-osama/.; Aritz Parra and Serge Cartwright, “Spain arrests ex-rapper as Islamic State fighter in Syria,” Associated Press, April 21, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/1567204d3e8a7bbcaaadb0021c3b68d5.

From 1982 until 1991, Bary allegedly served multiple stints in Egyptian prisons following the murder of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. Although Bary was repeatedly arrested, imprisoned, and released, media sources primarily detail his arrest in 1982 in which Egyptian authorities arrested Bary for sheltering Muntaser al-Zayyat, a critic of the Mubarak regime who had come into power after the assassination of Sadat.David J. Bier, “Profiles of Every Terrorism Vetting Failure in the Last 30 Years,” CATO Institute, April 17, 2018, https://www.cato.org/blog/profiles-every-terrorism-vetting-failure-last-30-years. Sometime during those sentences—where he was allegedly tortured by Egyptian authorities—Bary obtained a university degree and began working as a human rights lawyer. From 1987 until 1991, Bary represented clients who opposed the Mubarak regime, and allegedly became radicalized himself during this period.David J. Bier, “Profiles of Every Terrorism Vetting Failure in the Last 30 Years,” CATO Institute, April 17, 2018, https://www.cato.org/blog/profiles-every-terrorism-vetting-failure-last-30-years. Bary applied for political asylum in Britain in 1991 and shortly left Egypt afterwards.Martin Gould, “Father of Jihadi John suspect ‘was one of Bin Laden’s closest lieutenants’: Dad of Brit rapper accused of beheading James Foley is locked up in the US accused of helping to blow up two American embassies killing 224,” Daily Mail, August 24, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733558/Father-Jihadi-John-one-Bin-Ladens-closest-lieutenants-currently-trial-US-embassy-bombings-killed-224-people.html.

In 1994, while living in London, Bary allegedly took over the business affairs for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), an al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist organization dedicated to the overthrow of the Egyptian government. Although reports do not detail the extent of Bary’s activities in the EIJ, in 1995, an Egyptian court sentenced Bary to death in absentia for a plot to blow up a market in Cairo’s bazaar district.Martin Gould, “Father of Jihadi John suspect ‘was one of Bin Laden’s closest lieutenants’: Dad of Brit rapper accused of beheading James Foley is locked up in the US accused of helping to blow up two American embassies killing 224,” Daily Mail, August 24, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733558/Father-Jihadi-John-one-Bin-Ladens-closest-lieutenants-currently-trial-US-embassy-bombings-killed-224-people.html. Ayman al-Zawahiri later appointed Bary as the head of EIJ’s London Branch in 1996. From 1996 until 1999, Bary reportedly served as communication coordinator for the London cell of al-Qaeda, where he distributed messages from Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri to the media while also organizing press interviews for the two jihadist leaders.David J. Bier, “Profiles of Every Terrorism Vetting Failure in the Last 30 Years,” CATO Institute, April 17, 2018, https://www.cato.org/blog/profiles-every-terrorism-vetting-failure-last-30-years.

Bary’s London office, which was considered bin Laden’s “media information office,” was critical in facilitating military and security communication between various al-Qaeda cells—particularly Africa—and al-Qaeda’s headquarters. The communications included topics ranging from the recruitment of military trainees, the disbursement of funds, and the procurement of equipment.Martin Gould, “Father of Jihadi John suspect ‘was one of Bin Laden’s closest lieutenants’: Dad of Brit rapper accused of beheading James Foley is locked up in the US accused of helping to blow up two American embassies killing 224,” Daily Mail, August 24, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2733558/Father-Jihadi-John-one-Bin-Ladens-closest-lieutenants-currently-trial-US-embassy-bombings-killed-224-people.html.

On August 7, 1998, al-Qaeda operatives launched simultaneous suicide bombings at the U.S. Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The attacks killed 258 people and wounded more than 5,000.“Osama Bin Laden: A Chronology of His Political Life,” PBS Frontline, accessed March 15, 2015, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/etc/cron.html. Although there was no evidence that Bary assisted in the bombing themselves—he was in London at the time—he was an active participant as he communicated frequently with al-Qaeda leadership and operatives and was aware that these high casualty attacks were being planned.“United States of America v. Adel Abdel Bary,” UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, January 10, 2015, https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/wp-content/uploads/baryadelgovtsentencing.pdf.

On July 12, 1999, Scotland Yard authorities arrested Bary on charges of conspiring with bin Laden and his terrorist network to kill Americans.“Two Arrested in U.S. Embassy Bombings,” Associated Press, July 12, 1999, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/eafricabombing/eafricabombing.htm. After an ongoing legal battle between the U.S. and the U.K. governments, thirteen years later, on October 6, 2012, Bary was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom. On September 19, 2014, he admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to conspiring with bin Laden in the 1998 embassy bombings.Rich Calder, “Dad of ‘John the Beatle’ suspect admits Osama terror plot,” New York Post, September 19, 2014, https://nypost.com/2014/09/19/dad-of-john-the-beatle-admits-to-98-embassy-bomb-plot-with-osama/. Bary was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of working on behalf of al-Qaeda and the EIJ on February 6, 2015.“International Terrorism Defendant Sentenced in Manhattan to 25 Years in Prison,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/international-terrorism-defendant-sentenced-manhattan-25-years-prison.

On December 11, 2020, Bary was released early from a U.S. prison and was deported to the United Kingdom. Bary, who is overweight and asthmatic, was considered high risk of contracting COVID-19. Upon his return to the U.K., M15 and counterterrorism police will review his return and resettlement.Fiona Hamilton, “Adel Abdel Bary: Bin Laden’s spokesman flies to Britain,” Times, December 12, 2020, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/adel-abdel-bary-uk-flight-hc0jtwcmg. In January 2021, it was reported that Bary was living in the Maida Vale neighborhood of London with his family in a house costing £1 million. Despite his early release for poor health, he has been reportedly seen walking around the area and “looked to be in good health.”“Former Al-Qaeda spokesman living in £1m house in London: Report,” Arab News, January 11, 2021, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1790826/world.

Husam Abd al-Rauf was a senior propagandist for al-Qaeda. Al-Rauf, who was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted Terrorists list, was killed by Afghan security forces in October 2020 in Kunsaf, Ghazni province, Afghanistan.“Senior al-Qaeda leader Abu Muhsin al-Masri killed in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, October 25, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/25/senior-al-qaeda-leader-abu-muhsin-al-masri-killed-in-afghanistan.

Al-Rauf allegedly joined mujahedeen fighters in Afghanistan to combat Soviet forces during the Afghan War in 1986.Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar and Jon Gambrell, “Afghanistan claims killing an al-Qaida leader wanted by FBI,” Associated Press, October 25, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-suicide-bombings-kabul-taliban-80225157b62c9af88620c0ea76ed177d. He later served as al-Qaeda’s media chief for several years. According to the Afghan presidential palace, al-Rauf was “al-Qaeda’s leader for the Indian subcontinent.”Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar and Jon Gambrell, “Afghanistan claims killing an al-Qaida leader wanted by FBI,” Associated Press, October 25, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-suicide-bombings-kabul-taliban-80225157b62c9af88620c0ea76ed177d.

Al-Rauf was allegedly a close aide to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, and had provided unspecified support to the Taliban and Haqqani network for years. In December 2018, al-Rauf was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list in connection to his membership in al-Qaeda.Roshan Noorzai, “Afghan Government Says Taliban Maintaining Ties With Al-Qaida,” Voice of America, November 6, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/afghan-government-says-taliban-maintaining-ties-al-qaida.

A federal arrest warrant for al-Rauf was issued in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 27, 2018, after he was charged with conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization; providing material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization; and conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals.“HUSAM ABD-AL-RA'UF,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/husam-abd-al-rauf.

On October 25, 2020, the Afghan government announced that Afghan security forces killed al-Rauf in following a raid the week prior in Kunsaf, Ghazni province. Upon storming an isolated home, the security forces killed seven suspected militants, including al-Rauf. Amanullah Kamrani, the deputy head of Ghazni’s provincial council, claimed that Kunsaf was under Taliban control, and it is not certain if the Taliban had been providing al-Rauf with protection.Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar and Jon Gambrell, “Afghanistan claims killing an al-Qaida leader wanted by FBI,” Associated Press, October 25, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-suicide-bombings-kabul-taliban-80225157b62c9af88620c0ea76ed177d. If the Taliban provided al-Rauf protection, they would be in direct violation of their February 2020 agreement with the U.S. government. Among other commitments, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States.Steve Balestrieri, “Taliban And Al-Qaeda Continue To Have Close Ties Despite Us Peace Deal,” SOFREP, November 2, 2020, https://sofrep.com/news/taliban-and-al-qaeda-continue-to-have-close-ties-despite-us-peace-deal/.

Christopher Cantwell, a.k.a. the “Crying Nazi,” is an American neo-Nazi, “ethno-state” supporter, and alt-right activist. Cantwell originally made a name for himself among the Libertarian political scene in New Hampshire but was ousted from multiple organizations due to his aggressive racism and advocacy for violence against the state. Given his racist vitriol, he has been featured on numerous alt-right podcasts and radio shows.“Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in New Hampshire on January 23, 2020, and charged with making extortionate communications and sending interstate threats.“Keene Man Charged With Extortion And Threatening,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 23, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/keene-man-charged-extortion-and-threatening. In September 2020, Cantwell was found guilty of extortion and of threatening to injure property or reputation, and in February 2021, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison.Doha Madani, “'Crying Nazi' Christopher Cantwell found guilty of extortion in rape threat case,” NBC, September 28, 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/crying-nazi-christopher-cantwell-found-guilty-extortion-rape-threat-case-n1241263; Joe Walsh, “‘Crying Nazi’ Christopher Cantwell Sentenced To 41 Months For Extortion,” Forbes, February 24, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/02/24/crying-nazi-christopher-cantwell-sentenced-to-41-months-for-extortion/?sh=3b499b864652.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cantwell has called for the overthrow of the U.S. government, the assassination of law enforcement officials, and espouses racist beliefs such as “Blacks are prone to violence and have lower IQs; Jews spread communism, immigrants are outbreeding whites; and a race war is inevitable.”“Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell. Many of these viewpoints were reiterated throughout his personal blog, his podcast called “Outlaw Conservative,” and his call-in talk show, “Radical Agenda.”“Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell.; “Outlaw Conservative,” https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Outlaw-Conservative-p1189348/.; “Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell.

Cantwell was first arrested in 2000 in Suffolk County District in New York. He pleaded guilty to fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property, and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and driving while intoxicated. He was sentenced to six months in jail, of which he only served four.“Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell.

Cantwell claims he chose to affiliate with libertarianism following a 2009 presentation given by former Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik.“Why I Consider Myself Alt Right,” Christopher Cantwell, August 17, 2017, https://christophercantwell.com/2017/08/17/consider-alt-right/. Inspired by Badnarik, Cantwell announced he would run as a Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 1st District. However, Cantwell failed to collect enough signatures to earn a spot on the ballot. Cantwell later left New York and settled in Keene, New Hampshire, where he became heavily involved in libertarian events and social circles. Cantwell was eventually thrown out of multiple libertarian groups due to his abrasive nature, and violent rhetoric towards law enforcement. Following his expulsion from multiple libertarian organizations, Cantwell shifted his hatred from cops towards different racial groups and progressive political parties.“Christopher Cantwell,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/christopher-cantwell.

Cantwell gained public attention when he was featured in a Vice News report on August 14, 2017. Throughout the interview, he called for an “ethno-state” and justified the killing of a 32-year-old woman who was protesting against the Unite the Right white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12, 2017. During the rally, Cantwell allegedly pepper-sprayed multiple protesters.Matt Stevens, “Christopher Cantwell, White Nationalist in Vice Video, Braces for Charges,” August 21, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/us/christopher-cantwell-charlottesville.html.

Cantwell turned himself in to the Lynchburg Police Department following federal warrants for his arrest. Cantwell was charged for his involvement in the Unite the Right rally and was also issued two felony counts of using tear gas and one felony count of causing “malicious bodily injury” with a caustic substance.“NH Man Known for Involvement in Charlottesville Rally Arrested by FBI” NBC New York, January 23, 2020, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/nh-man-known-for-involvement-in-charlottesville-rally-arrested-by-fbi/2265126/.; Amy Held, “White Nationalist Christopher Cantwell Surrenders After Charlottesville Violence,” NPR, August 24, 2017, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/24/545766281/white-nationalist-christopher-cantwell-surrenders-after-charlottesville-violence. While incarcerated at Albemarle-Charlottesville jail, Cantwell continued to host an Internet radio show for more than two months. Cantwell allegedly called someone who would record their phone conversations and upload the discussions on his personal blog. According to reports, Cantwell would also call into white nationalist Internet radio shows, and would solicit funds for his legal defense, often referring to himself as a “political prisoner.” Cantwell featured guests prominent on the white nationalist scene such as David Duke, Mike Enoch, and Jason Kessler.Justin Wm. Moyer, “The ‘crying Nazi’ is hosting a radio show from the Charlottesville jail,” Washington Post, October 31, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/the-crying-nazi-is-hosting-a-radio-show-from-a-virginia-jail/2017/10/31/7789f4cc-bda5-11e7-a568-e899b546d3c9_story.html.

On July 21, 2018, Cantwell pled guilty to assault and battery in connection with the demonstrations in Charlottesville. He was ordered to leave Virginia for five years and to not make contact with the victims of his assault and battery crimes. Cantwell served 107 days of his 12 month sentence, with the remaining sentence being suspended following the verdict. Following his release, Cantwell returned to New Hampshire, where he continued to promote his podcast and network with members of the alt-right.Mihir Zaveri, “Christopher Cantwell, White Nationalist in Vice Video, Is Barred From Virginia,” New York Times, July 21, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/21/us/christopher-cantwell-crying-nazi-virginia.html. The core belief of the alt-right movement, which aligns with Cantwell’s own views, is the belief that “white identity” is under attack by multicultural forces seeking to undermine “white civilization” through political correctness and social justice.“Alt-Right,” Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/alt-right.

On January 23, 2020, Cantwell was arrested in Keene, New Hampshire. The same day, he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Concord, where he was charged with making extortionate communications and sending interstate threats.“Keene Man Charged With Extortion And Threatening,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 23, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/keene-man-charged-extortion-and-threatening. The indictment alleges that on June 16, 2019, Cantwell threatened to injure another person if the victim of the threat did not provide Cantwell with personal information about a third party.“Keene Man Charged With Extortion And Threatening,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 23, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/keene-man-charged-extortion-and-threatening. Specifically, Cantwell threatened a man over Telegram to get personal information on another man using an online pseudonym. Cantwell allegedly threatened to attack the man’s wife if he did not receive the necessary information.“NH Man Known for Involvement in Charlottesville Rally Arrested by FBI,” NBC New York, January 23, 2020, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/nh-man-known-for-involvement-in-charlottesville-rally-arrested-by-fbi/2265126/. Additionally, it was reported that investigators found a cache of 17 guns and numerous drugs at Cantwell’s Keene home.Damien Fisher, “Feds want new charges against ‘Crying Nazi’ Christopher Cantwell,” Manchester Ink Link, May 4, 2020, https://manchesterinklink.com/feds-want-new-charges-against-crying-nazi-christopher-cantwell/. On July 8, 2020, Cantwell was indicted on additional charges of cyberstalking and threatening to injure property or reputation.“Additional Charges For Jailed White Nationalist Christopher Cantwell,” CBS Boston, July 13, 2020, https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/07/13/additional-charges-jailed-white-nationalist-christopher-cantwell/. On September 28, 2020, Cantwell was found guilty of extortion and of threatening to injure property or reputation, and on February 24, 2021, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison.Doha Madani, “'Crying Nazi' Christopher Cantwell found guilty of extortion in rape threat case,” NBC, September 28, 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/crying-nazi-christopher-cantwell-found-guilty-extortion-rape-threat-case-n1241263; Joe Walsh, “‘Crying Nazi’ Christopher Cantwell Sentenced To 41 Months For Extortion,” Forbes, February 24, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/02/24/crying-nazi-christopher-cantwell-sentenced-to-41-months-for-extortion/?sh=3b499b864652.