Accused Hamas plotter pleads not guilty in Louisiana to allegedly helping October 7 terrorist attack on Israel

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana. — Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadia man accused of participating in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court in Louisiana.

Al-Muhtadi, 33, appeared before a judge for an arraignment dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffed by his hands and feet. As he entered the courtroom, he stumbled slightly on his shackles. He greeted his attorneys and interpreter, who had flown to Lafayette for the hearing, with “Good afternoon.”

The judge informed al-Muhtadi that a grand jury had indicted him on two counts: conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization resulting in death, and fraud and misuse of visa permits.

In court documents revealed last week, Al-Muhtadi is accused of being a member of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a paramilitary group that fought alongside Hamas and participated in the 2023 attack.

Prosecutors claim he coordinated a “group of armed fighters” to cross into Israel after learning of the Hamas attack. He allegedly told one man to “bring the rifles” and another to “get ready.” Prosecutors say he also sent messages asking for ammunition and a bulletproof vest for another man.

Al-Muhtadi filed a U.S. visa application in June 2024, where, according to court documents, he denied being a member or representative of a terrorist organization, having any skills or training, including the use of firearms, and having ever participated in terrorist activities.

Al-Muhtadi is one of the first to face charges in a US court for allegedly helping Hamas in the attack.

On Wednesday, al-Muhtadi told the judge that he understood the charges before him and pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution reminded the judge that deportation to Israel would be a possible penalty in this case. The maximum penalty for the former charge is life in prison, the maximum penalty for the latter is 10 years. Both charges are related to his alleged involvement in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel. He is also accused of lying on his visa application form to enter the United States.

For now, his lawyer waived his right to a detention hearing and al-Muhtadi signed the waiver in court. Thus, the judge said that she issued an order for preventive detention.

Prosecutors pointed out to the judge that the case is complex, involves litigation over classified documents, and therefore will require certain protections for classified information under the Patriot Act. They said they plan to propose a protective order governing discovery in the case.

After the hearing ended, al-Muhtadi’s lawyer, Aaron Adams, was heard telling his client: “So far so good.” The defendant was heard asking Adams more about jail conditions, including how his family is doing.

When asked about that conversation, Adams said, “no comment.”

Prosecutors in the case also declined to comment and referred all press inquiries to a public relations spokesperson. News themezone emailed that spokesperson for comment.

Kerry Breen contributed to this report.

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• Hamas
• Israel
• Loop
• Louisiana