The Federal Bureau of Investigations is offering a $5 million reward for any information that leads to the capture of an American citizen atop the agency’s Most Wanted Terrorist List – amid fears he could be plotting an attack in the US.
Officials unsealed a new indictment against 37-year-old Jehad Serwan Mostafa on Monday, claiming his leadership of the terrorist outfit al-Shabaab has led to the slaughter and injury of hundreds of innocent victims in Africa.
Regarded now as the highest-ranking US citizen fighting overseas with a terrorist organisation, Mostafa was first charged in 2009 with similar counts of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation – however he has remained at large.
But now, under the new superseding indictment, Wisconsin-born Mostafa has accused of playing a critical role in al-Shabab, which promotes an Islamic state and has killed thousands of people since its inception in 2006.
Officials unsealed a new indictment against 37-year-old Jehad Serwan Mostafa on Monday, claiming his leadership of the terrorist outfit al-Shabaab has led to the slaughter and injury of hundreds of innocent victims in Africa
Under the new superseding indictment, Wisconsin-born Mostafa has accused of playing a critical role in al-Shabab, which promotes an Islamic state and has killed thousands of people since its inception in 2006
The charges announced Monday accuse Mostafa of helping to train soldiers, planning attacks on the Somali government and African Union forces, helping lead the group’s explosives department, and leading the group’s media operations.
Investigators also say Mostafa, who they describe as ‘extremely dangerous’, has played an influential role in various other acts of violence in Africa too, spanning between 2009 and 2017.
Investigators also say Mostafa, who they describe as ‘extremely dangerous’, has played an influential role in various others acts of violence in Africa too, spanning between 2009 and 2017
However now, FBI leaders fear Mostafa’s US roots could be used to plot an attack either in America or against Americans abroad, following a recent call inside al-Shabaab for attacks to be carried out on US citizens.
‘Al-Shabaab’s reign of terror threatens U.S. national security, our international allies and innocent civilians. Today we seek the public’s assistance in capturing Mostafa and disrupting Al-Shabaab,’ US Attorney for the Southern District of California Robert Brewer said.
FBI special agent Scott Brunner echoed: ‘We must use every tool in our toolbox to disrupt a potential terrorist attack before it happens.’
Mostafa has remained a key figure on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List for nearly a decade. The Bureau is now asking citizens around the world to study his picture and listen to his voice to help finally bring him to justice.
‘The FBI, the US Attorney’s Office, and the State Department have continued an extensive investigation since 2010 to locate this terrorist,’ explained Brunner. ‘The FBI has not forgotten, has not stopped working, and will not stop until Mostafa is found.’
Mostafa has remained a key figure on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List for nearly a decade. The Bureau is now asking citizens around the world to study his picture and listen to his voice to help finally bring him to justice
In 2005 Mostafa ravelled to Yemen and Somalia, where he fought against Ethiopian forces. He then joined al-Shabaab in 2006, investigators believe, where he quickly began rising up the terror group’s ranks.
Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mostafa spent his formative years in San Diego, where he went on to attend the University of California.
Graduating in 2004, the following year he travelled to Yemen and Somalia, where he fought against Ethiopian forces. He then joined al-Shabaab in 2006, investigators believe, where he quickly began rising up the terror group’s ranks.
Officials say they believe Mostafa – who is also known as ‘Ahmed Grey, ‘Ahmed’, ‘Anwar’, ‘Abu Anwar al Muhajir’ and ‘Abu Abdallah al Muhajir’ – is in Somalia currently.
Federal prosecutors in San Diego say al-Shabaab’s attacks have led to the injury and deaths of thousands of African people.
In 2010, al-Shabaab carried out a suicide bombing at a bar in Uganda during a World Cup soccer match, killing 76 people including a US citizen who had been working in the region for a San Diego-based non-profit.
A 2013 attack carried out by the terrorist outfit at a shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, killed dozens and left more than 150 injured when attackers dressed in black threw grenades at the unsuspecting crowds and sprayed them with bullets from AK-47s. Among the dead was a graduate of a San Diego-area high school.
If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or submit tips online via tips.fbi.gov.