Overview

Samer El Debek is a naturalized U.S. citizen living in Dearborn, Michigan, who allegedly plotted on behalf of Hezbollah against U.S., Israeli, and Panamanian targets in New York City and Panama. The U.S. Department of Justice did not identify where El Debek emigrated from, but he holds a Lebanese passport in addition to his U.S. passport.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. The FBI arrested El Debek on terrorism-related charges on June 1, 2017.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic.

The FBI alleges that El Debek belonged to Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization (IJO), responsible for Hezbollah’s intelligence and terrorist activities outside of Lebanon. According to the FBI, El Debek was looking for potential terrorist targets in Panama and New York City on behalf of the IJO.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download.

In July 2006, El Debek purportedly praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an e-mail he sent to his private account from his work account. The FBI alleges that the IJO recruited El Debek in late 2007 or early 2008.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. During interviews prior to his arrest, El Debek told the FBI that he suspected Hezbollah recruited him because of his U.S. passport, though he did not know specifically why he had been recruited.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. El Debek said that between 2008 and 2015, Hezbollah paid him more than $1,000 per month plus medical expenses.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 18, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download.

In 2008, El Debek traveled to Lebanon to attend Hezbollah training camps.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. Between 2008 and 2014, El Debek allegedly received religious and militant training that included surveillance and bomb-making techniques and how to use automatic assault rifles, according to the FBI.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. In May 2009, El Debek traveled to Thailand to remove evidence of a Hezbollah cell from a compromised safe house.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic. El Debek traveled from Lebanon to Malaysia using his Lebanese passport and then to Thailand using his U.S. passport.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 13, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. According to El Debek’s account, he removed 50 boxes of ammonium nitrate from the house. “United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download.

In 2011, El Debek traveled to Panama to locate the U.S. and Israeli embassies, and identify hardware stores from which to purchase explosive materials such as acetone and battery acid. El Debek also told the FBI that he learned how to drive in Panama and took Spanish lessons.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 14, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. El Debek allegedly returned to Panama in early 2012 to identify weaknesses in the Panama Canal.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic.

Between December 2015 and April 2016, Hezbollah allegedly detained El Debek in Lebanon on suspicion that he was a spy for the United States.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic. El Debek claimed during his FBI interviews that Hezbollah suspected him of being a spy before they sent him on his international missions. El Debek claimed he gave Hezbollah a false confession that he worked for the FBI, CIA, and police. El Debek further claimed that the U.S. government had paid him $500,000.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 18, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download.

The Justice Department did not reveal how El Debek escaped Hezbollah’s custody. Between September 8, 2016, and May 23, 2017, the FBI interviewed El Debek several times over the phone and in person.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 9, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. During his interviews, El Debek identified Mohamed Husseini, the Hezbollah bomber who blew up an Israeli tour bus in Bulgaria in 2012, as a distant relative.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 11, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download. El Debek described his recruitment, training and missions to the FBI. He also told the FBI that unlike ISIS, Hezbollah doesn’t kill indiscriminately. He said that Hezbollah’s violent actions are sometimes meant to send a political message, but that Israelis are always a target.“United States of America v. Samer El Debek,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 31, 2017, 10, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/972416/download.

The FBI arrested El Debek in Livonia, Michigan, on June 1, 2017. Authorities brought him to New York City, where he was formally charged in federal court on June 5.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic.

El Debek has been charged with:

• providing material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization
• conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization
• receiving military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization
• conspiracy to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization
• possessing, carrying, and using firearms and destructive devices during and in relation to crimes of violence
• making and receiving a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hezbollah
• conspiracy to make and receive a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hezbollah.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic.

If convicted, El Debek faces up to life in prison.“Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 8, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-and-michigan-man-arrested-terrorist-activities-behalf-hizballah-s-islamic. As of May 2020, he is still awaiting trial.“Hezbollah Member Convicted in US for Planning Attacks,” Al Arabiya, May 20, 2020, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2019/05/17/Hezbollah-member-convicted-in-US-for-planning-attacks.