The FBI Most Wanted Terrorists is a list created and first released on October 10, 2001, with the authority of United States President George W. Bush, following the September 11 attacks
(9/11 incident). Initially, the list contained 22 of the top suspected terrorists chosen by the FBI, all of whom had earlier been indicted for acts of terrorism between 1985 and 1998. None of the 22 had been captured by US or other authorities by that date. Of the 22, only Osama Bin Laden was by then already listed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
No particular legal consequences flowed from the creation of and inclusion on the list. On January 17, 2002, the FBI released a third major FBI wanted list, which has now become known as the FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list, to enlist the public's help in reporting information which may prevent future terrorist attacks. The information sought to be reported is not necessarily relating to any person on any of the FBI wanted lists.
Initial persons alleged to be terrorist fugitives
On the fugitive group wanted poster, the FBI did not list the persons in any particular stated order, except perhaps for the consistent placing of bin Laden in the number one position of the top row. However, the 22 can easily fit into distinct categories over the two decades, based on the terrorist attacks in which they were, according to US authorities, involved.
For organization and ease of reference here, the 22 on the list are grouped by the attack for which they were placed on the list.[1]
Al-Mughassil was reportedly captured in Lebanon on August 7, 2015, and extradited to Saudi Arabia.[4] However, he was not taken into US custody and is still wanted by the FBI.
Osama bin-Laden's successor as Al-Qaeda's chieftain, Ayman al-Zawahiri was under indictment in the United States for his suspected role in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The Rewards for Justice Program of the U.S. Department of State was offering a reward of up to US$25 million for information about his location and capture.[8] On July 31, 2022, he was killed by a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan carried out by the U.S.[9] He is listed as deceased by the FBI.[10][11]
Reports surfaced on June 11, 2011, that he was killed in Somalia.[12] Kenyan police stated, through DNA testing, that they were certain he was killed by Somalian forces on June 8.[12] Officially listed as deceased on the FBI website by June 12.[8]
Captured in Pakistan on July 25, 2004, and later held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Ghailani was tried by a civilian court in New York in 2010 and convicted of conspiring to bomb the American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. The jury however acquitted him of all other 284 charges, including attempted murder.[17]
Abdullah, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Masri, was reported to have been killed in Tehran, Iran on August 7, 2020, by Israeli Mossad operatives working on behalf of the United States government. His death was reported 3 months later.[18] His death was confirmed by the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on January 12, 2021.[19][20]
Al-Libi was captured in Tripoli, Libya on October 5, 2013, by Delta Force commandos.[21] Abu Anas al-Libi died on January 2, 2015, at a hospital in New York, aged 50, while in United States custody. He had liver disease as a result of hepatitis C.[22]
Killed April 12, 2006, along with 6 other alleged militants by Pakistani forces in a helicopter gunship raid on the village of Naghar Kalai near the Afghan border. Villagers reported that armed men removed the bodies.[26] Atwah's death was confirmed by US officials on October 24, 2006, following DNA testing, and he was removed from the list.[27]
FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list
Whereas the Most Wanted Terrorists list is reserved for terrorist fugitives who have been indicted by federal grand juries, the FBI recognized a further need to achieve a much quicker response time in order to prevent any future attacks which may be in the current planning stages. To enlist the public's help in this effort, the FBI sought a way to deliver the early known suspected terror attack information, often very limited, out to the public as quickly as possible. So, on January 17, 2002, the third major FBI wanted list was first released, which has now become known as the FBI Seeking Information – Terrorism list.
As the name of this list implies, the FBI's intent is to acquire any critical information from the public, as soon as possible, about the suspected terrorists, who may be in the planning stages of terror attacks against United States nationals at home and abroad. The first such list profiled five persons about whom little was known, but who were suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in martyrdom operations. The main evidence against the five was five videos they had produced, found in the rubble of Mohammed Atef's destroyed home outside Kabul, Afghanistan.
Additions to the list
By 2006, more than four years had passed since the FBI had listed the original 22 alleged terrorists on the Most Wanted Terrorist list. Of those 22, by then four had been qualified for removal from the list, due to death or capture. Also by then, the FBI determined that other people qualified for the list. Some were indicted for attacks and plots that had taken place since the original list had been compiled. The original indictments had been for incidents only through 1998. The US had been victim to at least two significant terror attacks, which had generated new indictments, notably:
USS Cole bombing in 2000, which killed 17 American sailors and wounded 40 on October 12, 2000, off the port coast of Aden, Yemen
In addition, after the original 2001 list had been compiled and released to the public, the US had foiled and issued indictments for numerous other plots, involving some new listed Most Wanted Terrorists. Those notable other plots involved:[28]
The Buffalo Six, a Buffalo, New York, cell, or Lackawanna Cell, exposed September 2002
In February 2006, the FBI completed two groups of additions to the Most Wanted Terrorists list, the first additions in over four years. On February 24, 2006, the day after adding two names to the list, the FBI added an additional six fugitive terrorists, for various plots and attacks. One of the entries was for an indictment dating back to the June 14, 1985, hijacking of TWA flight 847 by Hezbollah (see above).
Additionally, the FBI also added to the Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list an additional three people, most notably, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.[29] This marked the first time that al-Zarqawi had appeared on any of the three major FBI wanted lists. On June 8, 2006, ABC News reported that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was confirmed to have been killed in Baghdad in a bombing raid by a United States task force. His death was confirmed by multiple sources in Iraq, including the United States government.
Rewards for Justice offered $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.[8] He was killed in a drone strike on January 1, 2019, in Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen.[30][31]
Surrendered to Yemeni authorities on May 20, 2007.[32] However, after serving a 5-year sentence there, he was not given into US custody and is still wanted by the FBI.
Arrested by West German police on January 13, 1987, and released on December 15, 2005.[33] Rewards for Justice is offering $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.[8]
Wanted for conspiracy to conduct the affairs of the designated international terrorist organization known as the "Palestinian Islamic Jihad". Shalah died on June 6, 2020, in Lebanon after a long illness.[34]
Died of gunshot wounds on September 4, 2006. Philippine marines found the remains of his body on December 27, 2006. Death was confirmed by DNA testing on January 20, 2007.[36][37] Listed as deceased as of January 22, 2007. Removed from list as of February 21.
Gadahn was removed by the FBI from the Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list on October 11, 2006, and placed instead on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list.[40] Also, on October 11, 2006, Gadahn was indicted on a treason charge by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California making him the first American charged with treason since 1952.[41] Rewards for Justice offered $1 million for information leading to his capture.[8] He was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan on January 19, 2015.[42]
San Diego was added to the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list in connection with two Animal Liberation Brigade bombings in Northern California in 2003. He is the second United States citizen, and the first domestic terrorist, to appear on the list.[43][44] News reports suggest he was captured in Wales, UK on November 25, 2024.
Sought for his role in the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, in which 17 American sailors were killed.[45] Rewards for Justice offered $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction [8] He was killed in a drone strike in Yemen on May 6, 2012.
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[47] Convicted in Pakistan in 1988, but allegedly deported to Palestine in 2009.[48][49]
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[47][50] Convicted in Pakistan in 1988, but allegedly deported to Palestine in 2009.[48][49] Pakistani officials claimed that he was killed on January 9, 2010, by a U.S. airstrike, but the reports have never been confirmed and he is still on the list.[51][52]
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[47] Convicted in Pakistan in 1988, but allegedly deported to Palestine in 2009.[48][49]
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[47] Convicted in Pakistan in 1988, but allegedly deported to Palestine in 2009.[48][49]
Wanted for his alleged role in the plot against New York City's subway system, uncovered in September 2009.[53] He was killed in a manhunt operation by Pakistan Army in South Waziristan on 6 December 2014.[54]
Hezbollah member charged with using a false passport to enter Israel in order to conduct a bombing.[55] Killed by members of the Free Syrian Army in May 2014.[56]
Joined al-Shabaab in 2006 and became one of its top leaders.[57] After splitting from the organization in June 2013, he was killed by its militants on September 12 of that year.[58]
Wanted for travelling to Pakistan and Yemen between 2002 and 2004 in order to receive terrorist training.[63] Killed by an airstrike in Syria in January 2017.[64]
Alleged to have departed the U.S. on July 5, 2012, to join al-Shabaab, and to have acted as a recruiter for the organization.[65][66] Detained by Somali authorities on March 2, 2015, but is still on the list.[67]
Arrested by Pakistani authorities on April 21, 2022, then convicted and sentenced to fifteen-and-a-half years in prison on May 16 of that year.[70] He was not extradited and remains on the list as of February 2023.[71]
Rewards
Since 1984, the United States government has also used the Rewards for Justice Program, which pays monetary rewards of up to $25 million, or now, in some cases more, upon special authorization by the United States Secretary of State, to individuals who provide information which substantially leads to countering of terrorist attacks against United States persons. More than $100 million had been paid to over 60 people through this program.[72]
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