Alex Saab, also known as Alexei Saab, a trained covert Hezbollah operative who entered America and later became a US citizen, was indicted in US District Court in New York on multiple terrorism charges. Saab fraudulently obtained American citizenship by failing to disclose his Hezbollah membership and terrorism weapons training, which included bomb making.
The defendant conducted surveillance operations upon many prominent targets in new York, Washington DC, and elsewhere, for potential future terrorist attacks. He was a member of the Islamic Jihad organization, Hezbollah's overseas operational arm, and allegedly attempted to murder an Israeli national in Turkey.
While a naturalized US citizen, Saab brought in a female Hezbollah agent, with whom he concluded a sham marriage, to allow her to enter the country and reside here. Saab, who is in custody, faces a potential 60 years in prison on the nine counts.
Contributed by Kenneth Rijock - Financial Crime Consultant
Chronicles of Monte Friesner - Financial Crime Analyst