Alleged Iran-Backed Militia Member Pleads Not Guilty in U.S. Court
An alleged member of an Iran-backed militia pleaded not guilty Monday to U.S. charges that he was involved in multiple attacks against American interests in Europe, declaring during a courtroom outburst, “I am not a criminal.”
Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi spoke in Manhattan federal court after his lawyer, Andrew Dalack, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to eight counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia the U.S. considers a terrorist organization.
“I am not guilty, and we are in a war situation,” Al-Saadi said through an Arabic interpreter.
“Children are being killed by your rockets,” he added, gesturing toward U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon and prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Al-Saadi, wearing a beige prison uniform and shackled at the feet, was ordered to sit down by McMahon, who raised her voice as two U.S. marshals approached the defense table. He sat as they arrived.
Al-Saadi was taken into U.S. custody in Turkey last month amid heightened scrutiny of Iran-backed militias accused of targeting American personnel and allies across multiple regions since the U.S. and Israel went to war against Iran.
Prosecutors say Kata’ib Hezbollah is directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and that Al-Saadi helped plan about 18 attacks in Europe in recent months, not all of which were carried out. They also allege he plotted attacks in the United States in March and April, including against a New York synagogue.
At Monday’s hearing, the U.S. government signaled the case could expand. Prosecutor Sarah L. Kushner told McMahon that much of the case centers on the 18 attacks in Europe since March and said individuals had already been arrested in connection with them.
The government has said the case links those attacks to Iran’s campaign of retaliation against the United States and Israel following the war that began in February. When Judge McMahon asked whether prosecutors planned to seek a new indictment, Kushner replied: “That is certainly a possibility.”
