A Syrian refugee who arrived in the U.S. in 2016 has been arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up a Christian church in Pennsylvania.
The criminal complaint claims Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, had planned to detonate a bomb at a church on the north side of Pittsburgh. His motivation was to “take revenge for our [Islamic State] brothers in Nigeria.”
A Syrian refugee/Pittsburgh resident was arrested today for plotting to attack a North Side Christian church in the name of ISIS. Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, is charged with attempting to provide material support/resources to ISIS, among other charges @KDKA pic.twitter.com/bsDbwUqICy
— Rachele Mongiovi (@4RacheleM) June 19, 2019
Authorities allege that he hoped the act of terror would inspire others to commit similar atrocities across the country. The charging document contends that Alowemer was aware that numerous people in or around the church could be killed by the explosion.
“Targeting places of worship is beyond the pale, no matter what the motivation,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “The defendant is alleged to have plotted just such an attack of a church in Pittsburgh in the name of ISIS.”
Alowemer was nabbed after providing plans about the construction of bombs and improvised explosive devices to a man he believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter, but was really an undercover FBI agent.
Alowemer gained entrance into the U.S. in 2016, prior to new guidelines that have lowered the number of refugees resettled, and drastically reduced those coming from the Middle East.
