An Iraqi man accused of helping plan attacks on behalf of the Iran-backed militia Kata'ib Hezbollah pleaded not guilty on Monday (1 June) to U.S. terrorism-related charges, declaring in a New York courtroom that he was innocent and describing the allegations against him as part of wartime context.
Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi entered a not guilty plea in federal court in Manhattan to eight criminal counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to Kata'ib Hezbollah, which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation.
Speaking through an Arabic interpreter after his lawyer entered the plea, Al-Saadi told the court, “I am not guilty and we are in a war situation.”
The defendant then interrupted proceedings, saying, “Children are being killed by your rockets,” while gesturing toward U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon and federal prosecutors.
McMahon ordered Al-Saadi to sit down as two U.S. marshals approached the defence table. The hearing then continued without further disruption.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Al-Saadi helped plan around 18 attacks targeting American interests in Europe in recent months, although they say not all of the plots were carried out.
According to the indictment, he also participated in discussions in March and April regarding potential attacks inside the United States, including an alleged plot targeting a synagogue in New York.
Prosecutors say Kata'ib Hezbollah operates under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Al-Saadi was transferred to U.S. custody in Türkiye last month amid intensified scrutiny of Iran-backed armed groups accused of targeting U.S. personnel and allies across several regions following the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Al-Saadi did not specify which incident he was referring to when mentioning children killed by rockets.
His remarks came months after a strike on a girls' school in Iran on 28 February that Iranian authorities said killed more than 175 children and teachers.
Reuters previously reported that a preliminary internal U.S. military investigation indicated American forces were likely responsible for the strike, citing two U.S. officials. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed those findings and said on Monday that its investigation remains ongoing.
Al-Saadi appeared in court wearing a beige prison uniform and leg shackles. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence under U.S. counterterrorism laws.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump said the United States will target Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “pretty soon” as he meets with Lebanese president Michel Aoun. Meanwhile, U.S. forces carried out a 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran while Tehran continues to target Gulf countries.
The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump threatens a heavy strike on the suspected Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Tehran warns that any attack could trigger a wider regional escalation.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have discussed regional developments, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process during talks in Berlin.
The building where Adolf Hitler was born, near Austria's border with Germany, officially began a new life as a police station on Wednesday. Austria's government hopes the conversion will prevent it from becoming a place of pilgrimage for neo-Nazis.
Daniel Siad, a modelling scout whose name appeared in documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead at his home near Paris, French prosecutors said. He was 69.
Ukraine's new commander-in-chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, takes charge at a pivotal stage of the war with Russia, facing mounting challenges including troop shortages, battlefield reform and the rapid evolution of drone warfare.
ASEAN foreign ministers opened the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on 21 July, launching four days of talks that run until 24 July. The agenda includes South China Sea tensions, Myanmar’s conflict and growing U.S.-China rivalry.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has renewed calls for an immediate de-escalation and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East while she warned that the humanitarian situation had become "quite grave". Anand also raised concern over tensions in the South China Sea.
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