2 Terrorists Added to RFJs Most Wanted List - Secretary Authorizes Up To $5 Million Reward For Each Terrorist

February 12, 2007
Two Terrorists Added to Rewards For Justice's Most Wanted List; Secretary Rice Authorizes Up To $5 Million Reward For Each Terrorist

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has authorized the addition of Mohammed Ali Hamadei and Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah to the U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program, each with a potential reward of up to $5 million.

Hamadei and Shallah were added to RFJ's Most Wanted List at the request of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division; both are also on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists List.

Hamadei, an alleged member of the terrorist organization Lebanese Hizballah, is believed to be living in Lebanon. A Federal Grand Jury in Washington, D.C., indicted Hamadei on 15 charges in 1985 for his role in planning andparticipating in the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. This hijacking resulted in assaults on various passengers and crew members, and the murder of Petty Officer Robert D. Stethem, United States Navy. The indictment charges included: Violations of Aircraft Piracy in the Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States; Unlawful Placing of a Destructive Device on an Aircraft; Hostage Taking; Murder; Assault on a Passenger; and Conspiracy.

Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah is wanted for conspiracy to conduct the affairs of the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) through a pattern of racketeering activities such as bombings, murder, extortions and money laundering. Shallah was one of the original founding members of the PIJ. Since 1995, he has been the Secretary-General and leader of the organization, which is headquartered in Damascus, Syria. Shallah was officially listed as a Specially Designated Terrorist in 1995, and indicted in a 53-count indictment in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, in 2003.

Diplomatic Security Assistant Secretary Richard J. Griffin said, “The RFJ program continues to be one of the most valuable tools in the U.S. fight against international terrorism. Thousands of innocent lives have been saved through information received under this program. We thank the FBI and all our fellow law enforcement organizations for their noteworthy diligence and assistance in this critical effort. Together we make a difference.”

Assistant Director Joseph Billy, Counterterrorism Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation stated, "The FBI is working closely with our law enforcement and intelligence community partners to bring all necessary resources to bear to protect the American public from terrorist attacks and the nefarious activities from extremely dangerous terrorists like Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah and Mohammed Ali Hamadei. We appreciate the continued support from the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program. We agree that with the combined strength of law enforcement and intelligence components at home and abroad, and with a vigilant and engaged public, we will ensure the successful apprehension of Most Wanted Terrorists." Anyone with information on a past or planned act of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide, or regarding the location of a key terrorist leader, is urged to contact RFJ directly at the following:
Internet: www.rewardsforjustice.net (secure online tip form)
E-mail: RFJ@state.gov
Hotline: 1-800-US-REWARDS (1-800-877-3927)
Mail: Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20522-0303

In addition, anyone in the United States with information may contact the nearest Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) or FBI field office. Persons located overseas may also contact the Regional Security Office at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Since its inception, Rewards for Justice has paid more than $62 million to more than 40 people who have provided credible information that has brought terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism. Established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State's law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.
(Taken from a Media Note by the Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State)