2017 · Southern District of New York · 17-mj-4154

Samer el Debek

Latest release: Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization

The Case's Tie to Hezbollah, in the Government's Words

Under the release heading El Debek’s Alleged Support of Hizballah

“El Debek, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was first recruited by Hizballah in late 2007 or early 2008, began to receive a salary from Hizballah shortly thereafter, and was paid by Hizballah through approximately 2015.”

Defendants and Outcomes

A charge is an allegation; a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

• Samer el Debek Charged status as of June 8, 2017, the latest Justice Department release on these pages

  “El Debek was arrested in Livonia, Michigan, outside of Detroit, for providing, attempting and conspiring to provide material support to Hizballah; receiving and conspiring to receive military-type training from Hizballah; use of weapons in connection with a crime of violence that is alleged to have involved, among other weapons, explosives, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and machine guns; and violating and conspiring to violate IEEPA.”

  U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested for Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization, press release, June 8, 2017, para. 8, justice.gov.

Exhibits

1. Exhibit 1

   U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested for Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization, press release, June 8, 2017, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrests of Ali Kourani and Samer el Debek on charges related to alleged support for Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization, including material support and military training offenses. The arrests occurred on June 1, and the complaints were unsealed in Manhattan federal court, with Kourani presented on June 2 before Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses and el Debek presented on June 5 before Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman.

2. Exhibit 2

   U.S. Department of Justice, Bronx Man And Michigan Man Arrested For Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization, press release, June 8, 2017, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, the FBI New York Office, and the NYPD announced the arrests of Ali Kourani and Samer El Debek on charges related to alleged activities on behalf of Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. The arrests occurred on June 1, 2017, and the complaints were unsealed in Manhattan federal court, where Kourani was presented on June 2 and El Debek on June 5.

3. Exhibit 3

   U.S. Department of Justice, Charging document attached to the release, charging document (PDF), June 8, 2017, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.