FBI Says Man Added To Most Wanted Terrorists List Has Detroit Ties
DETROIT (WWJ) - Federal agents say a fugitive just added to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists List has connections to Detroit.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture and return to the U.S. of 32-year-old Ahmad Abousamra, who was indicted after taking multiple trips to Pakistan and Yemen where he allegedly trained to kill American soldiers overseas.
Abousamra grew up near Boston, but FBI Special Agent David Porter says he has ties to Detroit.
Abousamra is thought to have left the U.S. in 2006, and may now be living in Aleppo, Syria — possibly with his wife and at least one child, a young daughter.
Abousamra is of Syrian descent and has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Syria.
"The FBI's top priority is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist threats, both foreign and domestic," said Vincent S. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, in a media release.
"The Most Wanted Terrorists List is another example of the FBI continuing to pursue those individuals accused of criminal conduct. In this case, Ahmad Abousamra advocates violent extremism and boldly promotes violence against United States citizens and military personnel," he said. "We believe the international exposure the Most Wanted Terrorists List provides will assist the FBI in Abousamra's apprehension and his return to the United States to face justice."
Abousamra is 5'11" and, from the time that he fled, weighed approximately 170 pounds, and had a slim build, dark brown hair, and brown eyes. He speaks, reads, and writes fluently in English and Arabic. He has a college degree related to computer technology and was previously employed at a telecommunications company. He has a number of known aliases to include: Ahmad Abou-Samra, Ahmad Abou, Ahmad Abou Samira, Ahmad Samra, Ahmad Abu Samra, and Ahmad Abou Samra.
He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI's Boston Division at 617-742-5533, on the Internet at https://tips.fbi.gov, or by calling their local FBI office or nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
More information is available about the FBI's search for Abousamra, at this link.
