“The attack never occurred because the defendant was, in fact, plotting with an undercover law enforcement officer,” she said, adding that “the threat was identified, monitored and controlled from the outset.”
The plot involved a $10,000 offer to carry out an attack
Al-Saadi, who was transferred into United States custody overseas before being brought to the U.S., appeared in Manhattan federal court on Friday, as his arrest was announced to the public. He faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations, conspiracy to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosives. He was arrested in Turkey and brought to the United States to face charges.
According to the complaint, Al-Saadi agreed to pay an undercover informant $10,000 for the attacks on the synagogue and two Jewish centers. In a recorded call, he reportedly told the undercover agent that he would send them the full $10,000 if they would “set the three locations on fire at the same time.”
