Party of God, Inc. Court cases
2017 · Southern District of New York
Ali Kourani and Samer el Debek
Latest release: Hizballah Operative Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Covert Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization
The Case's Tie to Hezbollah, in the Government's Words
“Recruited as Hizballah operatives, Samer El Debek and Ali Kourani allegedly received military-style training, including in the use of weapons like rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns for use in support of the group’s terrorist mission.”
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. 4, justice.gov.
Defendants and Outcomes
Ali Kourani Sentenced as of Dec. 3, 2019
“The Department of Justice today announced that Ali Kourani, 35, was sentenced to 40 years in prison based on terrorism, sanctions, and immigration convictions arising from Kourani’s illicit work as an operative for the Islamic Jihad Organization, Hizballah’s external attack-planning component.”
U.S. Department of Justice,
Hizballah Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,
press release, Dec. 3, 2019, para. 2, justice.gov.Samer el Debek Charged as of June 8, 2017
“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
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.
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.
Exhibit 3
U.S. Department of Justice,
Ali Kourani Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court For Covert Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,
press release, May 16, 2019, justice.gov.Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Summary The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced that a jury convicted Ali Kourani on all eight counts involving terrorism, sanctions, and immigration offenses related to his work for Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. The verdict followed an eight day trial, and Kourani was scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein on September 27, 2019.
Exhibit 4
U.S. Department of Justice,
Ali Kourani Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,
press release, May 17, 2019, justice.gov.Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Summary The document announces that a Manhattan federal jury convicted Ali Kourani on all eight counts charging terrorism, sanctions, and immigration offenses related to his work for Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, and FBI officials after the verdict, with sentencing scheduled for September 27, 2019, before Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.
Exhibit 5
U.S. Department of Justice,
Hizballah Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,
press release, Dec. 3, 2019, justice.gov.Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Summary The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Ali Kourani was sentenced to 40 years in prison for terrorism, sanctions, and immigration convictions arising from work as an operative for Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. The announcement concerns the sentencing phase of the case and states that Kourani was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Exhibit 6
U.S. Department of Justice,
Hizballah Operative Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Covert Terrorist Activities On Behalf Of Hizballah’s Islamic Jihad Organization,
press release, Dec. 3, 2019, justice.gov.Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Summary The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New York City Police Department announced that Ali Kourani was sentenced to 40 years in prison for terrorism, sanctions, and immigration convictions arising from his work as an operative for Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. The announcement concerns the sentencing stage of the case and states that Kourani was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Exhibit 7
U.S. Department of Justice, Charging document attached to the release, charging document (PDF), June 8, 2017, justice.gov.
Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Exhibit 8
U.S. Department of Justice, Charging document attached to the release, charging document (PDF), June 8, 2017, justice.gov.
Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Exhibit 9
U.S. Department of Justice, Charging document attached to the release, charging document (PDF), June 8, 2017, justice.gov.
Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.
Exhibit 10
U.S. Department of Justice, Charging document attached to the release, charging document (PDF), June 8, 2017, justice.gov.
Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.