Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, Conspiring to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, California 2023

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Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, a San Diego resident, has been charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, a known foreign terrorist organization. Sabassi allegedly solicited and diverted funds raised through purported charitable campaigns to Hamas and for personal use. The scheme, which exploited the brutal acts of terror perpetrated on October 7, 2023, attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. Sabassi was arrested in San Diego and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California.

The complaint alleges that Sabassi claimed to be raising money for charity but was actually funding Hamas to help finance the group’s terror and violence, as well as lining his own pockets. The investigation was led by the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the National Security Division.

Sabassi’s arrest demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to prosecute those who provide financial support to terrorist organizations. As stated by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, ‘Hamas promotes attacks against the U.S. and has murdered dozens of Americans through acts of terror.’ The case highlights the importance of vigilance in preventing the financing of terrorism and protecting national security.

The charges against Sabassi include conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, sanctions evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements. If convicted, Sabassi faces significant prison time and fines.