by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 1 – A defendant charged with terrorist attacks in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and elsewhere was presented on May 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted it (link to Sealed Complaint here and below) OK -
Now presentment of MOHAMMAD BAQER SAAD DAWOOD AL-SAADI, subject of 29 page complaint complete with a quote about Mexico [!] and many photos with Soleimani.
Federal Defender Andrew Dalack going in and out of the holding cell. Al-Saadi may have to fill out the CJA financial affidavit to get appointed counsel.
1:15 pm All rise! Deputy: This is US v. Al-Saadi. Defense: Andrew Dalack for Mr. Al-Saadi. Judge: I am Judge Sarah Netburn [Chief Magistrate Judge]. Date and time of arrest? AUSA: He arrived in SDNY last night at 11 pm
Judge Netburn: You are charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, for Acts of Terrorism, to Bomb a Place of Public Use, Material Support for Acts of Terrorism and Destruction of Property by Means of Fire or Explosive
FD Dalack: Mr. Al-Saadi wants to be treated as a prisoner of war, for his support of Soleimani. Judge: Noted. I understand he consents to detention? Dalack: He was detained in Turkey which passed him along to the US. I’m not aware of any extradition proceeding
Judge: I assume you’ll get that information in due course. Preliminary hearing? Dalack: 14 days. [They may indict him before them] Dalack: This is an unusual case, we’d like discovery before indictment, about apprehension in Turkey and transport to the US AUSA: We’ll consult. Judge: I could stay involved, even though the case is not assigned. Dalack: If they agree to pre-indictment discovery, we’d consider a protective order.
Judge: I’m available to assist. Dalack: He does not want solitary, he wants to call home Dalack: Absent some evidentiary showing that his continued detention in this situation... we may cmoe back to the court. Al-Saadi gesticulates Dalack: He is a prisoner of war Judge: The record’s been made. Adjourned
We put the complaint while still sealed on Patreon here
On June 1 he appeared before the assigned District Judge Coleen McMahon. Inner City Press attended, and live tweeted here. It emerged that he may be an Iraqi government employee - possible immunity claim - and that DOJ may be seeking Special Administrative Measures as on Joshua Schulte and Somalia’s Cholo.
Afterward the Press spoke with four attendees, one in a T-shirt saying Proud Zionist. Inner City Press asked Glenn Richter about the UN’s claim of immunity for its UNRWA staffers’ role in the October 7 attacks.
More on X for Subscribers here and below the paywall /
Subscribe (support) line here
