USA v. Al Bayati, Ibraheem Ahmed
Houston, TX

ISIS

Ibraheem Ahmed Al Bayati was charged with making threats or conveying false information to destroy by means of fire or explosives and making a threat over interstate commerce. He identified himself as Abu Qital al Jihadi al Mansur and joined a UH student lecture via Zoom on Sept. 2, 2020. Shortly thereafter, he allegedly interrupted and said "what does any of this have to do with the fact that UH is about to get bombed in a few days? He then uttered an Arabic a phrase that means the "Islamic State will remain." Al Bayati then allegedly held up his index finger and repeated the phrase. He left the call to the gasps of students, according to the charges. In addition, Al Bayati allegedly sought out ISIS supporters online, helped an individual make a "pledge" and, according to Al Bayati, was known as an ISIS recruiter.