A New Jersey man has been arrested and charged by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for attempting to provide support to the Al-Shabaab extremist group. Karrem Nasr, an American citizen who has been residing in Egypt since July 2023, was apprehended after traveling to Kenya with the intention of joining the East African branch of Al-Qaeda. Nasr’s motive was reportedly driven by the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7.
The DOJ has accused Nasr of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. US Attorney Damian Williams stated in a press release that Nasr was motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, [and] devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies.
According to the criminal complaint, Nasr expressed extremely anti-American sentiments, referring to the US as the head of the snake and vowing that Jihad was coming soon to a US location near you in his social media posts. He allegedly took deliberate actions to connect with and receive military training from Al-Shabaab, including booking flights and accommodations for his journey to Kenya. His plan was to meet with Al-Shabaab members in Kenya and then proceed to Somalia to join the group for training.
On December 14, Nasr traveled to Kenya with the intention of meeting his Al-Shabaab contacts and crossing the border into Somalia. However, upon his arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he was arrested by Kenyan authorities and subsequently handed over to US authorities.
The FBI successfully disrupted Nasr’s plans by infiltrating his scheme with the assistance of a confidential informant who posed as a facilitator for terrorist organizations. Screenshots of conversations on X (formerly Twitter) between the informant and Nasr were presented as evidence by the FBI in the complaint. In these communications, Nasr expressed his support for jihad and his desire to carry out terrorist attacks on US soil.
Nasr now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to the DOJ’s press release. NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban responded to the charge, expressing disappointment in Nasr’s decision to turn against his own country. Instead of embracing all that the United States had to offer him, Mr. Nasr allegedly moved abroad and committed himself to supporting a foreign terrorist organization, Commissioner Caban stated.
The arrest and charge of Nasr highlight the ongoing threat of homegrown extremism and the importance of law enforcement efforts in disrupting potential acts of terrorism. The DOJ’s actions serve as a stern message that individuals who seek to provide support to terrorist organizations will face legal consequences.
The case against Nasr also raises concerns about the influence of online platforms in facilitating extremist ideologies and recruitment. Authorities continue to monitor and investigate such activities to prevent further radicalization and potential acts of violence.
As the legal proceedings unfold, law enforcement agencies will continue their efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and protect national security. The charges against Nasr demonstrate the commitment of the US Department of Justice and its partners in combating extremism and ensuring the safety of the American public and its allies.
