Minh Quang Pham, Terrorism Support, New York 2015

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Table of Contents

Al Qaeda Sympathizer Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Court

A former supporter of the terrorist organization Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to providing material support to the group.

Minh Quang Pham, also known as ‘Amin,’ was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom in February 2015 after being arrested in June 2012. He pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to AQAP, one count of conspiring to receive military training from the group, and one count of possessing and using a machine gun in furtherance of crimes of violence.

According to court documents, Pham traveled to Yemen in December 2010 to join AQAP and receive training from Anwar Aulaqi, a senior leader of the group. Aulaqi, who was killed in a drone strike in 2011, had called on his followers to conduct attacks against American interests.

Pham’s guilty plea comes after a lengthy investigation and extradition process. He faces sentencing for his admitted acts of terrorism.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said that Pham’s actions were a ‘terrorist’s oath to wage jihad for AQAP.’ Assistant Attorney General John P. Carlin added that Pham will be held accountable for his terrorist activities, emphasizing the National Security Division’s commitment to counterterrorism.

FBI Assistant Director Paul M. Abbate praised the extradition of Pham, highlighting the FBI’s resolve to pursue and capture dangerous terrorists worldwide.

AQAP was designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization in January 2010. The group has claimed responsibility for several plots to murder U.S. nationals and commit terrorist attacks against U.S. interests.