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An Iraqi commander of Kataib Hezbollah was detained in Türkiye and handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before being transported to the United States.
He appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Friday, facing six terrorism-related charges for allegedly directing nearly 20 attacks across Europe and plotting to bomb a prominent New York synagogue and Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and Arizona, all in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
"Essentially overnight, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya was able to activate terrorist cells across Europe" in response to the war in Iran, according to the FBI complaint.
Saadi, 32, an Iraqi national, was arrested in Türkiye and transferred into U.S. custody overseas before being brought to the United States.
He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court and was ordered detained pending trial. He entered the courtroom wearing army-green pants and a black shirt, smiled during his appearance, and nodded as the charges were read.
His attorney, Andrew Dalack, told the court his client understood the charges and wanted it known "he is a political prisoner and prisoner of war and should be treated as such." Dalack said Saadi was "essentially being subjected to a political prosecution" related to his alleged relationship with slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.
Prosecutors allege Saadi and his associates planned, coordinated and claimed responsibility for at least 18 attacks in Europe and two in Canada since March 9, 2026, carried out in the name of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, a component of Kataib Hezbollah.
The attacks targeted Jewish communities and American interests across the continent. According to the criminal complaint, on March 9, there was an attack using explosives on a synagogue in Liege, Belgium. On March 13, an arson attack struck a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands. On March 14, explosives were used at a Jewish school in Amsterdam. On March 15, the Bank of New York Mellon in Amsterdam was attacked with explosives.
Similar attacks continued through March and April across multiple European cities, including London, Antwerp, Paris, Munich and Skopje, North Macedonia. On April 12, a synagogue in Skopje was set on fire. On April 16, al-Saadi posted a video showing surveillance footage of the synagogue burning with the Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya logo.
In London, there was an arson attack on four Hatzalah ambulances serving primarily Orthodox Jewish communities. On April 29, two Jewish men, including a dual U.S.-British citizen, were stabbed and seriously injured in London.
The Bank of America building in Paris was also among the targets.
Saadi allegedly published propaganda videos after each attack, with Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya claiming responsibility. One video included a message reading: "This is the Final Warning. To all the peoples of the world, especially in the European Union, immediately distance yourselves from all American and Zionist interests."
The violence, the complaint noted, "stoked a new wave of anxiety for European Jews who were fearful that their communities would be targeted."
Prosecutors allege Saadi sought to expand operations to the United States in April. On March 20, in a phone call, he discussed the European attacks and said he sought help planning additional attacks in the U.S. and was willing to kill people. He said they did not need help in Europe: "Things are working for us here in Europe."
He claimed he was "running multiple teams" and asked whether his contact could help carry out attacks in the U.S. and Canada against targets like "Jewish synagogues" and "Zionist headquarters."
On April 1, Saadi was recorded asking how much it would cost to hire someone "to carry out a bombing operation" in the United States. "I mean, we provide him with a Jewish temple, a Jewish center," he allegedly said.
On April 3, Saadi was introduced to an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a Mexican cartel member. That same day, he texted the undercover officer photographs and maps showing the exact location of a prominent Manhattan synagogue, as well as two Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
He directed the officer to carry out attacks against all three targets.
He discussed whether to use an improvised explosive device or "set the place on fire" at the New York synagogue. He also asked if it was possible to "set the three locations on fire at the same time."
Saadi agreed to pay $10,000 in cryptocurrency for the attacks and sent a $3,000 down payment. On April 6, he relayed a message that "the operation needs to happen TODAY." When the undercover officer sent a video showing police presence near the synagogue, Saadi asked the next morning why the operation had not been completed.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, speaking at a Friday evening prayer service at Temple Emanu-El on Manhattan's Upper East Side, which was not the targeted synagogue, said al-Saadi "chose that synagogue because it was, quote, 'a beacon for solidarity and support to Israel.'"
"The attack never occurred because the defendant was, in fact, plotting with an undercover law enforcement officer," Tisch said.
During the call, Saadi declared, "This war will not end. Either they eradicate us, or we eradicate them."
The complaint includes photographs from al-Saadi's social media accounts showing him with Qasem Soleimani, the longtime commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, at a military-related facility.
Prosecutors allege Saadi worked closely and in person with Soleimani, who led the Quds Force before his death in a U.S. drone strike in January 2020.
Saadi also worked closely with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, who was killed in the same strike that killed Soleimani, the complaint says.
In July 2020, al-Saadi published an image of the U.S. Capitol in rubble projected against the faces of Soleimani and Muhandis, with the text: "Our revenge for the martyred leaders is ongoing. No negotiations with the occupier."
In February 2026, he posted a message in Arabic reading: "Do not abandon the blood of your Imam of the time, oh Shiites of Iraq. Kill everyone who supports America and Israel. Do not leave any of them remaining. Civil and military targets, as well as voices of discord, kill them everywhere."
Saadi has also allegedly publicly threatened President Trump and his family.
British intelligence had been investigating the group tied to Saadi and was aware of its plans to expand attacks to U.S. soil, sources said.
Saadi faces charges including conspiring to support Kataib Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC, providing material support for terrorism, conspiring to bomb a public place, and attempted destruction of property with explosives. The charges carry penalties ranging from five years to life in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the DOJ's National Security Division, the Office of International Affairs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the NYPD and the New York State Police.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "Thanks to the dedication and vigilance of law enforcement, this alleged terrorist commander is now in U.S. custody. These charges show American law enforcement will never let such evil go unchecked and will use all tools to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organizations and their leaders."
FBI Director Kash Patel said, "This was a righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents, investigators, CIRG tactical units, and interagency partners who delivered yet again. We are greatly appreciative of the work of our allies around the world — especially to Ambassador Tom Barrack, who led this joint sequenced operation and has been instrumental in bringing this successful mission home to the United States."
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, "Al-Saadi attempted to disrupt American society through intimidation and violence. In a righteous and just contrast, his prosecution will highlight the best of our country. Those who engage in or support terrorism against Americans and on U.S. soil should take note: the whole of the federal government is committed to dismantling terrorist organizations and bringing their members to justice."
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said, "In the span of just three months, Mohammad al-Saadi allegedly directed 18 terrorist attacks throughout Europe, including against United States citizens and interests, and planned to conduct a similar attack here in our country."
NYPD Commissioner Tisch said, "This case puts into stark relief the global threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies like Kataib Hezbollah, foreign terrorist organizations that have repeatedly targeted Jewish communities across Europe and the United States since the war began."
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, "I am relieved that everyone is safe. Let me be clear: antisemitism, violent extremism, and terrorism have no place in our city."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, "Grateful to law enforcement for disrupting this horrifying plot targeting Jewish New Yorkers."
The State Department said, "President Trump has pledged that anyone who hurts Americans, or is planning to hurt Americans, will be found and held accountable. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi is now in U.S. custody and will face justice."
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