A West New York, New Jersey, man today admitted that he conspired to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Alaa Saadeh, 24, admitted that prior to his arrest on June 29, 2015, he planned to travel overseas to join ISIL along with others. Saadeh discussed the plans to join ISIL with his brother, Nader Saadeh, Samuel Rahamin Topaz and Munther Omar Saleh, and told the judge today that each of them indicated that they wanted to join ISIL at various times.
Saadeh also admitted that he watched ISIL-related videos with Nader Saadeh and Topaz, some of which depicted the execution of individuals – both Muslim and non-Muslim – regarded by ISIL as enemies.
On May 5, 2015, Nader Saadeh, departed the United States with plans to travel overseas to join ISIL as part of the conspiracy, according to Saadeh’s statements in court today.
Saadeh further admitted assisting Nader Saadeh with these plans by letting him purchase airline tickets using Saadeh’s credit card, removing the SIM card from Nader’s smartphone and resetting the smartphone in an effort to avoid detection.
Saadeh admitted that Saleh assisted Nader Saadeh by giving him a contact that would facilitate Nader’s travel from Turkey to ISIL in Syria.
Saadeh further admitted that after his brother left the United States, Saleh and Topaz intended to travel overseas to join ISIL.
After becoming aware that the FBI was investigating this matter, Saadeh instructed an individual who knew of Nader Saadeh’s support for ISIL to lie if questioned by the FBI on the subject.
Saadeh further admitted telling this individual to “just play stupid,” “pretend it never happened” and “keep it honest up to a point.”
He is charged with one count of conspiring with others to provide material support to ISIL.
(Photo source: Breitbart/NBC-NY)
