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Jerusalem Bomber ‘Khalti’ Charged After 22 Years
WASHINGTON – The long arm of American justice is reaching for Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, also known as “Khalti” and “Halati,” a Jordanian national in her mid-30s, charged today in connection with the August 9, 2001 suicide bombing of a Sbarro pizza restaurant in Jerusalem. The attack, a brutal act of terror, claimed the lives of 15 people, including two U.S. nationals, and injured another four Americans among approximately 122 others. The charges – conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against U.S. nationals outside the U.S., resulting in death – were finally unsealed after being under seal since July 15, 2013.
The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of the criminal complaint, arrest warrant, and supporting affidavit, a move heralded by officials as a demonstration of unwavering commitment to pursuing terrorists who target Americans, regardless of location. Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord minced no words: “Al-Tamimi is an unrepentant terrorist who admitted to her role in a deadly terrorist bombing that injured and killed numerous innocent victims.” She emphasized the dedication of agents and prosecutors who relentlessly pursued the case.
U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia echoed that sentiment, stating, “We have never forgotten the American and non-American victims of this awful terrorist attack.” The unsealed charges aren’t just about legal proceedings; they’re a promise – a promise to bring Al-Tamimi to justice, however long it takes. FBI Assistant Director in Charge Andrew Vale added a chilling detail: Al-Tamimi “planned and assisted in carrying out” the attack, which served the aims of the designated terrorist organization, Hamas’s military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Court documents reveal a disturbing level of premeditation. In the summer of 2001, while working as a journalist and attending school in the West Bank, Al-Tamimi allegedly pledged her support to Hamas and agreed to participate in attacks. On the day of the bombing, she met with the suicide bomber in Ramallah, accompanied him to Jerusalem, and guided him to the crowded Sbarro restaurant. The bomber carried an explosive device concealed within a guitar, ready to unleash carnage. Al-Tamimi, the affidavit states, directed the bomber to detonate the bomb in a densely populated area, maximizing casualties. Seven of the fifteen fatalities were children, including one American.
Despite the gravity of her crimes, Al-Tamimi initially received 16 life sentences in an Israeli court in 2003, pleading guilty to multiple counts of murder. However, she served only eight years before being released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Upon her release, she returned to Jordan, where courts have since blocked extradition requests, citing constitutional prohibitions. This legal hurdle hasn’t deterred the U.S., which continues to work with international partners to overcome the obstacles and hold Al-Tamimi accountable.
This case is a stark reminder that the wounds of terrorism run deep and the pursuit of justice knows no borders. While extradition remains a challenge, the unsealing of these charges sends a clear message: those who orchestrate or participate in attacks against American citizens will face consequences, even after two decades have passed. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and report on any further actions taken to bring Al-Tamimi to justice.”
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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