Philadelphia man charged in terror probe considered multiple US attacks: prosecutors
A suspect from Philadelphia charged in a terror investigation considered planning several attacks in the U.S. and "intended to cause a mass casualty event," according to prosecutors.
A judge on Wednesday ruled 18-year-old Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman - who was 17 when he was arrested in August 2023 - should be tried as an adult.
"The defendant, who had a scholarship to attend college as a wrestler, decided that he wanted to become a bomb-maker," Philadelphia First Assistant District Attorney Robert Listenbee said during a news conference.Listenbee saidAbdul-Rahman was also working on making a TATP, which he described as "the Mother of all Satan bombs and is considered one of the most deadly bombs."
Charges against Abdul-Rahman included the following:
According to Listenbee, Abdul-Rahman was in communication with two terror organizations, including Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, or KTJ, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, and Hay'at Tahrir al Sham, or HTS. He also allegedly planned to travel to Syria, where he would join them.
Listenbee said the suspect told investigators he tested multiple explosives in his parents' backyard, as well as a wooded area.
"He developed bombs in his home and tested those bombs 12 to 20 times in his backyard and in the woods nearby," Listenbee said. "Some of the bomb-making parts were found in his trash before he was arrested."
Prosecutors said Abdul-Rahman had searched online for possible targets in the Philadelphia area. A few of his targets included the Philly Pride March and the Army-Navy game. He was also allegedly researched nearby power plants and at least 40 military sites.
"The court referred to him as very creative, very much a critical thinker, a smart young man who also had a determination to become a bomb maker and a terrorist," Listenbee said.
