Ahmed Abassi, Visa Fraud and Terrorism, New York 2013
Tunisian Man Charged with Visa Fraud and Terrorism in New York
Ahmed Abassi, a Tunisian citizen, has been charged with visa fraud related to terrorism in New York. Abassi was arrested on April 22, 2013, and arraigned on May 2 before U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum.
As alleged, Abassi had an evil purpose for seeking to remain in the United States – to commit acts of terror and develop a network of terrorists here, and to use this country as a base to support the efforts of terrorists internationally. Thanks to the extraordinary vigilance of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, Abassi has been thwarted and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
The charges against Abassi include two counts of knowingly making false statements on immigration forms, under penalty of perjury, and subsequently mailing those forms to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for processing.
Abassi, who previously resided in Canada, traveled to the United States in mid-March 2013, where he remained until his arrest. While in the United States, Abassi maintained regular contact with an FBI undercover officer (the “UC”), and also met with Chiheb Esseghaier in New York City. Esseghaier, who was recently arrested in Canada and is currently incarcerated there on terrorism charges, was previously radicalized by Abassi.
On April 12, 2013, Abassi and the UC discussed Abassi’s efforts to recruit others for terrorist plots, and that he might be able to obtain immigration documents to remain in the United States, purportedly in order to work for the UC’s U.S.-based company. In reality, Abassi made clear that he wanted to obtain immigration documents and to remain in the United States so that he could engage in “projects” relating to future terrorist activities, including recruitment.
The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, and the case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”) Raymond W. Kelly.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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