Lebanese national and Hezbollah member Hussein Hassan Oneissi is wanted by United Nations and Lebanese authorities for his reported key role in the February 14, 2005 murder of Lebanon Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.Special Tribunal for Lebanon, “Hussein Hassan Oneissi,” April 25, 2012, http://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/stl-11-01/accused/618-hussein-hassan-oneissi. The bomb attack on Hariri’s motorcade also claimed the lives of 21 and injured more than 220.Owen Bowcott, “Trial of Lebanese broadcaster charged with contempt of court opens in Hague,” Guardian, April 16, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/13/hezbollah-suspect-at-large-journalists-in-dock-at-hague-un-tribunal. Oneissi was being tried in absentia at an international tribunal in The Hague, alongside Hezbollah co-accused Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badr Al-Din, Hassan Merhi, and Assad Sabra.Martin Chulov, “Rafik Hariri assassination: trial of Hezbollah suspects begins, Guardian, January 16, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/16/rafik-hariri-assassination-trial-hezbollah-suspects. The Lebanese authorities have failed to arrest the five and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah has “vowed that the United Nations will never capture them.”Ronen Bergman, “The Hezbollah Connection,” New York Times, February 10, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/the-hezbollah-connection.html?_r=0.

Oneissi and Sabra were accused of recruiting an individual to falsely take responsibility for the crime and for arranging his disappearance.Owen Bowcott, “Trial of Lebanese broadcaster charged with contempt of court opens in Hague,” Guardian, April 16, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/13/hezbollah-suspect-at-large-journalists-in-dock-at-hague-un-tribunal. The individual was later identified as Ahmad Abu Adass.Ronen Bergman, “The Hezbollah Connection,” New York Times, February 10, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/the-hezbollah-connection.html?_r=0. The indictment at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) also alleged that Oneissi and Sabra collaborated directly after the attack to disseminate statements falsely attributing responsibility of the attack. The pair also reportedly ensured the delivery of a video-recorded false claim to Beirut’s Al Jazeera branch and its subsequent broadcast. Oneissi has described himself as either “self-employed or as the bookkeeper for his brother’s carpet store.”Ronen Bergman, “The Hezbollah Connection,” New York Times, February 10, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/the-hezbollah-connection.html?_r=0.

In August 2020, the STL found Oneissi not guilty on all charges in absentia. He was acquitted of five charges, including “conspiracy aimed at committing a terrorist act, being an accomplice to the felony of intentional homicide of Rafik Hariri . . . [and] 21 other persons,” as well as “attempted intentional homicide of 226 persons.”Special Tribunal for Lebanon, “Hussein Hassan Oneissi Case Information Sheet,” March 2019, https://www.stl-tsl.org/sites/default/files/documents/cis/Oneissi_Case_Info_Sheet_EN.pdf; “Rafik Hariri tribunal: Who were the four accused over 2005 assassination?” BBC News, August 18, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25757367. According to Oneissi’s defense attorneys, prosecutors were unable to prove that he was involved in preparing the false claim of responsibility or in the alleged disappearance of Adass. Salim Ayyash, who was accused of leading the assassination team, was found guilty on all five charges related to the bombing of Hariri’s motorcade.“Rafik Hariri tribunal: Who were the four accused over 2005 assassination?” BBC News, August 18, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25757367.

Abu Sayyaf (“bearer of the sword”)Gordon Lubold, “U.S. Special Forces Kill Senior ISIS Leader in Syria, Capture His Wife,” Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-special-forces-kill-senior-isis-leader-in-syria-capture-wife-1431780812. was reportedly a senior ISIS leader involved in the group’s oil and gas operations as well as its military missions. Sayyaf reportedly had special knowledge of the group’s hostage operations, and may have been in contact with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Barbara Starr, Laura Smith-Spark and Ray Sanchez, “Abu Sayyaf, key ISIS figure in Syria, killed in U.S. raid,” CNN, May 17, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/16/middleeast/syria-isis-us-raid/. He was not a publicly well-known member of ISIS. According to an unnamed U.S. official, Abu Sayyaf is the alias for Fathi Ben Awn Ben Jildi Murad al-Tunisi.Barbara Starr and Kevin Conlon, “U.S. names ISIS commander killed in raid,” CNN, May 19, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/us/isis-abu-sayyaf-name/.

The New York Times has called Abu Sayyaf a “midlevel leader in the organization” and noted that one terrorism analyst compared him to “Al Capone’s accountant.”Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, “ISIS Official Killed in U.S. Raid in Syria, Pentagon Says,” New York Times, May 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/middleeast/abu-sayyaf-isis-commander-killed-by-us-forces-pentagon-says.html?_r=0. The newspaper wrote that although Abu Sayyaf was “not a well-known figure, he was important … for who and what he knew about [ISIS’s] hierarchy and operations.” Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, “ISIS Official Killed in U.S. Raid in Syria, Pentagon Says,” New York Times, May 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/middleeast/abu-sayyaf-isis-commander-killed-by-us-forces-pentagon-says.html?_r=0. Media outlets by and large believe that the United States prioritized its raid against Abu Sayyaf in order to extract sensitive information about the group.Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, “ISIS Official Killed in U.S. Raid in Syria, Pentagon Says,” New York Times, May 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/middleeast/abu-sayyaf-isis-commander-killed-by-us-forces-pentagon-says.html?_r=0; Barbara Starr, Laura Smith-Spark and Ray Sanchez, “Abu Sayyaf, key ISIS figure in Syria, killed in U.S. raid,” CNN, May 17, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/16/middleeast/syria-isis-us-raid/. According to a report by CNN, the fact that the U.S. was willing to put military personnel at risk in a ground operation rather than order a drone strike indicates that Abu Sayyaf was a valuable intelligence target.Barbara Starr, Laura Smith-Spark and Ray Sanchez, “Abu Sayyaf, key ISIS figure in Syria, killed in U.S. raid,” CNN, May 17, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/16/middleeast/syria-isis-us-raid/.

Abu Sayyaf was killed by U.S. Special Forces in a night raid on May 16, 2015 at Al-Amr, in eastern Syria.Gordon Lubold, “U.S. Special Forces Kill Senior ISIS Leader in Syria, Capture His Wife,” Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-special-forces-kill-senior-isis-leader-in-syria-capture-wife-1431780812. Members of the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force were met by fierce resistance by Abu Sayyaf’s men, including hand-to-hand combat.“U.S. Troops Fight ‘Hand-to-Hand’ in Syria Raid,” Daily Beast, May 16, 2015, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/16/u-s-troops-fought-hand-to-hand-in-syria-raid.html?via=mobile&source=twitter. During the mission, Abu Sayyaf’s wife, Umm Sayyaf, was captured alive and detained for interrogation. She is believed to be an active member of the organization.Gordon Lubold, “U.S. Special Forces Kill Senior ISIS Leader in Syria, Capture His Wife,” Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-special-forces-kill-senior-isis-leader-in-syria-capture-wife-1431780812. Before the U.S. Department of Defense announced Abu Sayyaf’s death, he was largely unknown to monitors of the extremist group.Barbara Starr, Laura Smith-Spark and Ray Sanchez, “Abu Sayyaf, key ISIS figure in Syria, killed in U.S. raid,” CNN, May 17, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/16/middleeast/syria-isis-us-raid/.

Sami Abu Zuhri is reported to be a spokesperson for the Palestinian terror organization Hamas. Zuhri regularly makes anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and pro-violence statements. In November 2014, Abu Zuhri declared that “[all Israeli officials are] legitimate targets for the resistance.”“Hamas Says Israeli Leaders Are ‘Legitimate Targets’,” Times of Israel, November 21, 2014, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-says-israeli-leaders-are-legitimate-targets/. He is believed to operate out of the Gaza Strip.

In March 2015, 26 Americans present at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport at the time when it was targeted by Hamas missiles filed a lawsuit against the terror group. The charges of war crimes were filed against Abu Zuhri, Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, and other Hamas officials.Avi Lewis, “26 Americans to sue Hamas for rocket fire at Ben Gurion Airport,” Times of Israel, March 31, 2015, http://www.timesofisrael.com/26-americans-to-sue-hamas-for-airport-rocket-fire-last-summer/.

Abu Zuhri received wide media attention in 2006 when Palestinian authorities caught him attempting to smuggle more than $800,000 in cash through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt. Abu Zuhri claimed that he was returning from Qatar with funds that had been donated to Hamas, while the Palestinian Authority accused Zuhri of smuggling money embezzled for personal use.“Hamas Caught Smuggling Cash,” Los Angeles Times, May 20, 2006, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-05-20/news/0605200133_1_palestinian-executive-branch-direct-international-aid-hamas.

Abu Zuhri was implicated in separate incidents of alleged sexual harassment of female journalists in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and 2014, respectively.Lazar Berman, “Hamas spokesman said to have harassed female foreign reporter,” Times of Israel, December 7, 2014, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-spokesman-said-to-have-harassed-female-foreign-reporter/. Nonetheless, he has continued to act as a spokesman for Hamas. In 2020, he condemned a series of normalization deals between Israel and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. Abu Zuhri accused Sudan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates of betraying the Palestinian cause.Sami Abu Zuhri, Twitter post, October 23, 2020, 12:09 p.m., https://twitter.com/SamiZuhri/status/1319672292931260416; Sami Abu Zuhri, Twitter post, December 3, 2020, 10:15 a.m., https://twitter.com/SamiZuhri/status/1334516493778890760; Sami Abu Zuhri, Twitter post, December 20, 2020, 5:41 a.m., https://twitter.com/SamiZuhri/status/1340608161976336384. He also condemned the Palestinian Authority in April 2021 for delaying Palestinian legislative elections.Sami Abu Zuhri, Twitter post, April 27, 2021, 7:40 a.m., https://twitter.com/SamiZuhri/status/1387008861006176256. In the aftermath of the 11-day conflict between Hamas and Israel in May 2021, Abu Zuhri warned the ceasefire between the two parties remained fragile and was not a long-term truce.Adel Bin Ibrahim Bin Elhady Elthabti, “Continuation of cease-fire depends on Israel's behavior: Hamas,” Anadolu Agency, April 6, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/continuation-of-cease-fire-depends-on-israels-behavior-hamas/2263423.

Abu al-Baraa el-Azdi is the reported emir (leader) of ISIS’s branch in Derna, Libya.Maggie Michael, “How a Libyan city joined the Islamic State group,” Associated Press, November 9, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/195a7ffb0090444785eb814a5bda28c7/how-libyan-city-joined-islamic-state-group. El-Azdi reportedly acts as the city’s supreme judge, issuing rulings and punishments from within Derna’s courtroom.Chris Stephen, “US expresses fears as Isis takes control of northern Libyan town,” Guardian, December 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/06/us-fears-isis-nothern-libya-derna. Under el-Azdi’s control, public floggings, executions, and assassinations have become commonplace in Derna.Chris Stephen, “US expresses fears as Isis takes control of northern Libyan town,” Guardian, December 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/06/us-fears-isis-nothern-libya-derna.

El-Azdi is allegedly supported by 200-300 militants, mainly Libyan fighters with combat experience from Syria.Chris Stephen, “US expresses fears as Isis takes control of northern Libyan town,” Guardian, December 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/06/us-fears-isis-nothern-libya-derna. As of December 2014, up to 200 additional fighters were reportedly receiving training in ISIS camps in Libya.Chris Stephen, “US expresses fears as Isis takes control of northern Libyan town,” Guardian, December 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/06/us-fears-isis-nothern-libya-derna.

ISIS has controlled DernaPaul Cruickshank, Nic Robertson, Tim Lister, and Jomana Karadsheh, “ISIS comes to Libya,” CNN, February 16, 2015, http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/18/world/isis-libya/index.html. since October 31, 2014 when part of Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia Libya pledged allegiance to ISIS.Maggie Michael, “How a Libyan city joined the Islamic State group,” Associated Press, November 9, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/195a7ffb0090444785eb814a5bda28c7/how-libyan-city-joined-islamic-state-group. According to the Associated Press, Derna is “the first city outside of Iraq and Syria to join the ‘caliphate’ announced by the extremist group [ISIS].”Maggie Michael, “How a Libyan city joined the Islamic State group,” Associated Press, November 9, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/195a7ffb0090444785eb814a5bda28c7/how-libyan-city-joined-islamic-state-group.

Gábor Vona is a co-founder and chair of Hungary’s far-right, neo-fascist Jobbik party. A former history teacher, Vona believes Hungary’s problems are caused by politicians who put their own well-being above that of the public’s.“Party Leadership – Gábor Vona, Party Chairman,” Jobbik, May 6, 2010, http://www.jobbik.com/party_leadership_-_g%C3%A1bor_vona_party_chairman. Vona has directed the party’s ideology of militant ethno-nationalism mixed with anti-Semitism and anti-Roma racism. Under his leadership Jobbik has advocated for Roma “deviants” to be put into labor camps and called Jews a “national security risk.” Damien Sharkov, “Far-Right MEP Accused of Acting as Russian Spy,” Newsweek, September 26, 2014, http://www.newsweek.com/far-right-mep-accused-acting-russian-spy-273444.

Vona helped create the paramilitary Hungarian Guard in 2007 to “safeguard Hungarian culture and traditions.” Nicholas Kulish, “Hungarian Extremists Reflect Discontent, and Add to It,” New York Times, October 24, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/world/europe/24hungary.html. Hungarian courts later banned the group because of racist rallies targeting minorities, particularly gypsies. “2009 Human Rights Report: Hungary,” U.S. Department of State, March 11, 2010, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eur/136035.htm.

Vona backed away from past anti-Semitic and anti-Roma statements ahead of Hungary’s 2014 elections. Derek Gatopoulos, “Europe’s far-right softens image for elections,” Associated Press, May 20, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/europes-far-right-softens-image-elections; “’I Am No Holocaust Denier – Interview with Jobbik Leader Gabor Vona,” Hungary Today, December 13, 2014, http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/holocaust-denier-interview-jobbik-leader-gabor-vona-41939. Jobbik held a rally at a former synagogue in February 2014 “because I am not an anti-Semite or a Nazi,” Vona said. Marton Dunai, “Anti-Semitism taboo under threat in Hungary,” Reuters, May 21, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/21/us-hungary-antisemitism-idUSKBN0E10E420140521.

Vona believes that the restoration of the Hungarian people’s self-respect will heal Hungary’s economy. “Party Leadership – Gábor Vona, Party Chairman,” Jobbik, May 6, 2010, http://www.jobbik.com/party_leadership_-_g%C3%A1bor_vona_party_chairman. He advocates restricting voting rights based on education. “I Am No Holocaust Denier – Interview with Jobbik Leader Gabor Vona,” Hungary Today, December 13, 2014, http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/holocaust-denier-interview-jobbik-leader-gabor-vona-41939. Vona has reportedly worked shifts as a waiter, a construction worker, and other minimum wage jobs to show he is connected to the people.Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs, “Hungary re-elects maverick PM, far-right opposition gains,” Reuters, April 6, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/06/us-hungary-election-idUSBREA3502V20140406.

Although Jobbik is represented in the EU Parliament, Vona advocates for Hungary to withdraw from the European Union. Owen Matthews, “The Kremlin’s Campaign to Make Friends,” Newsweek, February 16, 2015, http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/27/kremlins-campaign-make-friends-307158.html. He has praised Russia for preserving “its traditions” and not following “the culture of money and the masses” Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber, “Far-Right Europe Has a Crush on Moscow,” Moscow Times, November 25, 2014, http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/far-right-europe-has-a-crush-on-moscow/511827.html. and has stated that the United States is the “deformed offspring” of Europe. Gabor Vona had a lecture at Lomonosov University in Russia,” Jobbik, May 24, 2013, http://www.jobbik.com/g%C3%A1bor_vona_had_lecture_lomonosov_university_russia. He has called Israel a terrorist state and demanded Hungary cut its ties. “Vona: Israel operates the world’s largest concentration camp,” Jobbik, November 22, 2012, http://www.jobbik.com/vona_israel_operates_world%E2%80%99s_largest_concentration_camp.

Vona called Jobbik “the strongest radical party in the EU,” Damien Sharkov, “Far-Right MEP Accused of Acting as Russian Spy,” Newsweek, September 26, 2014, http://www.newsweek.com/far-right-mep-accused-acting-russian-spy-273444. but he denies Jobbik is a far-right party. “’I Am No Holocaust Denier – Interview with Jobbik Leader Gabor Vona,” Hungary Today, December 13, 2014, http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/holocaust-denier-interview-jobbik-leader-gabor-vona-41939.

Krisztina Morvai is an MEP (member of European Parliament) of Hungary’s far-right Jobbik party.KrisztinaMORVAI, European Parliament MEPs, accessed December 10, 2015, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96661/KRISZTINA_MORVAI_home.html. Born in Budapest, Morvai has been described as a “leading neo-fascist,” and is outwardly anti-Semitic, anti-Roma, and homophobic. Jamie Doward, “BNP’s European ally Krisztina Morvai axed from London conference after protests,” Guardian, November 14, 2009, http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/nov/15/krisztina-morvai-london-conference-ban. Hungarian media has dubbed her the “Nazi Barbie.” “Hungarian Extremist Headed to the European Parliament,” WikiLeaks, June 16, 2009, http://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09BUDAPEST429_a.html. She works in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Hungary as a member of the European Parliament.

Morvai’s incendiary rhetoric has sparked controversy. Jamie Doward, “BNP’s European ally Krisztina Morvai axed from London conference after protests,” Guardian, November 14, 2009, http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/nov/15/krisztina-morvai-london-conference-ban. In 2009, she called the EU a “completely unjust, neo-liberal, bureaucratic and corrupt system.” “Hungarian Extremist Headed to the European Parliament,” WikiLeaks, June 16, 2009, http://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09BUDAPEST429_a.html.

Morvai denies being racist, anti-Semitic, or homophobic. “Feminine face of Hungary’s far right Jobbik movement seeks MEP’s seat,” Telegraph, May 24, 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5372983/Feminine-face-of-Hungarys-far-Right-Jobbik-movement-seeks-MEPs-seat.html. However, a pamphlet available at a Jobbik press conference in 2009 read, “Who decides on Hungary’s future?” The pamphlet included depictions of an apparent criminal with dark skin, two naked homosexuals, and a Jew. “Feminine face of Hungary’s far right Jobbik movement seeks MEP’s seat,” Telegraph, May 24, 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5372983/Feminine-face-of-Hungarys-far-Right-Jobbik-movement-seeks-MEPs-seat.html.

Udo Pastörs is the former chair of the NPD. It is suspected that Pastörs has good connections to the neo-Nazi movement. “Pastörs, Udo,“ Netz gegen Nazis, http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/lexikontext/udo-pastoers. Some believed that the party would radicalize further under Pastörs’s leadership. Antonie Rietzschel, “Extrem nach innen und außen”, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, January 10, 2014, http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/udo-pastoers-als-npd-chef-extrem-nach-innen-und-aussen-1.1858845 . Pastörs has in the past reportedly advocated racist and anti-Semitic views and was convicted of sedition in 2010. “NPD-Funktionär Pastörs verurteilt,” Die Zeit, May 6, 2010, http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2010-05/npd-pastoers-volksverhetzung. According to Pastörs, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament is a “talking shop” full of “bandits.” “Pastörs, Udo,“ Netz gegen Nazis, http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/lexikontext/udo-pastoers. In October 2019, Pastörs lost an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that Holocaust denial was not protected speech.Agence France-Presse, “Holocaust denial not a human right, European court rules,” Times of Israel, October 3, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-denial-not-a-human-right-european-court-rules/.

According to reports, Pastörs is a former member of the neo-Nazi organization “Viking youth,” which was banned in 1994. He is also believed to have twice visited the colony of Colonia Dignidad in Chile, which was co-founded by Nazis. Toralf Staud, “Das wahre Gesicht der NPD,” Die Zeit, January 12, 2014, http://www.zeit.de/politik/2014-01/npd-neuer-parteichef-pastoers-ist-ein-hardliner. He joined the NPD in the 2000s. Toralf Staud, “Das wahre Gesicht der NPD,” Die Zeit, January 12, 2014, http://www.zeit.de/politik/2014-01/npd-neuer-parteichef-pastoers-ist-ein-hardliner.

Following German reunification, Pastörs settled down in Mecklenburg with the alleged intention of building an ethnic model community. Toralf Staud, “Das wahre Gesicht der NPD,” Die Zeit, January 12, 2014, http://www.zeit.de/politik/2014-01/npd-neuer-parteichef-pastoers-ist-ein-hardliner. In September 2006, Pastörs was elected to the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

He ran against then NPD Chair Udo Voigt in 2009 and 2010 for the chairmanship losing both times. According to reports, this failure was due to suspicion that’s that Pastörs was too radical and that his victory would make a ban of the party more likely. Toralf Staud, “Das wahre Gesicht der NPD,” Die Zeit, January 12, 2014, http://www.zeit.de/politik/2014-01/npd-neuer-parteichef-pastoers-ist-ein-hardliner. Following the resignation of NPD Chair Holger Apfel in late 2013, Pastörs became first managing chair of the NPD and was formally confirmed in the role in January 2014. Christina Hebel, “Rechtsextreme in der Krise: Hardliner Pastörs ist neuer NPD-Chef,” Der Spiegel, January 10, 2014, http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/rechtsextreme-in-der-krise-hardliner-pastoers-fuehrt-npd-a-942805.html. In November 2014, the party elected Frank Franz to succeed Pastörs as chairman.History of the National Democratic Party,” NPD, November 20, 2014, http://www.npd-sh.de/sprachen/1%20%20english.php.

Pastörs has been charged multiple times for hate speech and Holocaust denial. At a February 2009 public NPD meeting, he described Germany as a “Jew republic” and warned that Turks would overtake Germans because of their high birthrates.“Pastörs, Udo,“ Netz gegen Nazis, http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/lexikontext/udo-pastoers; Carl Ziegner, “Bösartige Propaganda,” taz, July 28, 2009, http://www.taz.de/!38200/. In January 2010, he spoke out against Germany’s “cult of guilty” during parliament’s Holocaust memorial ceremony.“German court fines far-right parliamentarian,” Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2012, https://www.dw.com/en/german-court-fines-far-right-parliamentarian/a-16173614. Both offenses resulted in fines and suspended prison sentences. The administrative court in Schwerin fined Pastörs 6,000 euros to be paid to Schwerin’s city library for children’s books for his January 2010 remarks denying the Holocaust. He also received an eight-month suspended sentence. The administrative court in Schwerin ruled that Pastörs’s comments were not protected by freedom of speech or parliamentary immunity.Agence France-Presse, “Holocaust denial not a human right, European court rules,” Times of Israel, October 3, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-denial-not-a-human-right-european-court-rules/; “German court fines far-right parliamentarian,” Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2012, https://www.dw.com/en/german-court-fines-far-right-parliamentarian/a-16173614.

On October 3, 2019, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected Pastörs’s complaint that his 2012 conviction trampled on his right to free speech.Agence France-Presse, “Holocaust denial not a human right, European court rules,” Times of Israel, October 3, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-denial-not-a-human-right-european-court-rules/. The complaint stemmed from his 2012 conviction for the January 2010 Holocaust memorial incident.Agence France-Presse, “Holocaust denial not a human right, European court rules,” Times of Israel, October 3, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-denial-not-a-human-right-european-court-rules/; “German court fines far-right parliamentarian,” Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2012, https://www.dw.com/en/german-court-fines-far-right-parliamentarian/a-16173614. In the 2019 decision, the ECHR also ruled that Holocaust denial is not protected speech.Agence France-Presse, “Holocaust denial not a human right, European court rules,” Times of Israel, October 3, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-denial-not-a-human-right-european-court-rules/.

Udo Voigt is the former Chair of the NPD and currently sits in the European parliament for the party. He reportedly still wields considerable influence within the NPD and is suspected to have ambitions to resume leadership. Christin Hebel, Johannes Korge, “Comeback-Gerüchte: Voigts Machtspiele erschüttern die NPD,” Der Spiegel, February 25, 2013, http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/comeback-geruechte-voigts-machtkampf-erschuettert-die-npd-a-884975.html. Voigt is seen by the intelligence services as a potentially dangerous force, as under his leadership the NPD opened itself to more radical forces. Christin Hebel, Johannes Korge, “Comeback-Gerüchte: Voigts Machtspiele erschüttern die NPD,” Der Spiegel, February 25, 2013, http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/comeback-geruechte-voigts-machtkampf-erschuettert-die-npd-a-884975.html. Voigt has previously advocated racist and Nazi glorifying views although he denies this characterization. Michelle Martin, “German party accused of neo-Nazi traits set for EU parliament,” Reuters, Wednesday 21, 2014, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/21/uk-eu-election-germany-neonazis-idUKKBN0E112M20140521.

Voigt reportedly joined the NPD in 1968. He originally trained as an aerospace metal worker before joining the army. However, he was not allowed to become an officer because of his membership of the NPD. Instead he studied political science and went on to train at an NPD center in Italy. Michelle Martin, “German party accused of neo-Nazi traits set for EU parliament,” Reuters, Wednesday 21, 2014, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/21/uk-eu-election-germany-neonazis-idUKKBN0E112M20140521.

Voigt became Chair of the NPD in May 1996 and began to open the NPD to militant (younger) neo-Nazis, which have since taken important positions within the party (such as for example Jens Pühse, who now serves as the NPD’s General Secretary). http://www.npd.de/html/3471/artikel/parteivorstand/; Armin Pfahl-Traughber, “Der „zweite Frühling” der NPD”, (Berlin: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2008), 24, http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_14498-544-1-30.pdf.

While membership numbers rose under Voigt’s leadership, Armin Pfahl-Traughber, “Der „zweite Frühling” der NPD”, (Berlin: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2008), 24, http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_14498-544-1-30.pdf. electoral defeats and the feeling that there was a lack of strategy weakened Voigt’s position as party Chair. Following a power struggle against his former ‘political apprentice’ Holger Apfel, Voigt was defeated in an election over the chairmanship during the NPD’s party conference in November 2011. “Apfel als neuer NPD-Chef,” Die Zeit, November 15, 2011, http://blog.zeit.de/stoerungsmelder/2011/11/15/apfel-als-neuer-npd-chef_7507.

Under Apfel, the NPD faced a looming potential resumption of banning procedures, declining membership numbers and a difficult financial situation. Following a two year break from the party, Voigt re-emerged and apparently attempted to position himself as a possible alternative to Apfel. A number of “supporter groups” were formed to assist Voigt. Voigt also apparently increased attacks on the NPD leadership.Christin Hebel, Johannes Korge, “Comeback-Gerüchte: Voigts Machtspiele erschüttern die NPD,” Der Spiegel, February 25, 2013, http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/comeback-geruechte-voigts-machtkampf-erschuettert-die-npd-a-884975.html.

In January 2014, Voigt was elected the NPD’s candidate for the 2014 European parliamentary elections, successfully asserting himself over the managing Chair of the NPD Udo Pastörs. Christina Hebel, “NPD-Parteitag in Thüringen: Voigt setzt sich als Europa-Spitzenkandidat durch,” Der Spiegel, January 19, 2014, http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/npd-parteitag-voigt-setzt-sich-als-europa-spitzenkandidat-durch-a-944305.html. Voigt was elected to the European parliament in May 2014.

Voigt appears to be interested in building stronger links with far-right groups across Europe and has expressed an interest in working with Jobbik, Greece's Golden Dawn, the British National Party and Bulgaria's Attack. Michelle Martin, “German party accused of neo-Nazi traits set for EU parliament,” Reuters, Wednesday 21, 2014, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/21/uk-eu-election-germany-neonazis-idUKKBN0E112M20140521. Voigt was elected to the European parliament in May 2014.

Ramadan Abdullah Shallah was the former secretary-general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) who led the group from 1995 until 2018. Under Shallah’s leadership, PIJ launched thousands of rockets at Israel from Gaza and carried out dozens of suicide bombings.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013,” U.S. Department of State, April 30, 2014, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224829.htm; Efraim Benmelech and Claude Berrebbi, “Human Capital and the Productivity of Suicide Bombers,” Journal of Economic Perspectives 21, no. 3 (Summer 2007): 223–38. He maintained he would never recognize Israel and that there is no hope for a two-state solution.Scott Atran and Robert Axelrod, “Interview with Ramadan Shallah, Secretary General, Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Perspectives on Terrorism, November 29, 2010, http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/95. In October 2018, PIJ elected Ziad al-Nakhalah as its new secretary-general, six months after Shallah reportedly fell into a coma following surgery.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/; “Palestinian Islamic Jihad chooses new leader, remains close to Iran,” Times of Israel, September 28, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-islamic-jihad-chooses-new-leader-remains-close-to-iran/. Shallah died on June 6, 2020.Nour Abu Aisha and Mohamed Majed, “Ramadan Shalah: Palestinian advocate of Jerusalem,” Anadolu Agency, June 6, 2020, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/ramadan-shalah-palestinian-advocate-of-jerusalem/1868298; “Former Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah dies at 62,” Times of Israel, June 6, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-palestinian-islamic-jihad-leader-shalah-dies-at-62/.

In the early 1990s, Shallah taught at the University of South Florida (USF). He returned to Gaza in 1995. Susan Aschoff, “Jihad Leader Emerged from Shadows of USF,” St. Petersburg Times, February 21, 2003, http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/21/TampaBay/Jihad_leader_emerged_.shtml. He became PIJ’s secretary-general later that year after the death of his predecessor, Fathi Shaqaqi, in Malta. Susan Aschoff, “Jihad Leader Emerged from Shadows of USF,” St. Petersburg Times, February 21, 2003, http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/21/TampaBay/Jihad_leader_emerged_.shtml. In 2003, a U.S. federal grand jury accused Shallah of providing material support to PIJ, conspiracy to kill and maim persons abroad, racketeering, immigration fraud, perjury, extortion, and obstruction of justice. “Members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Arrested, Charged With Racketeering and Conspiracy to Provide Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 20, 2003, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2003/February/03_crm_099.htm.

Iran provides PIJ with material support including weaponry and funding. “Country Reports on Terrorism 2013,” U.S. Department of State, April 30, 2014, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224829.htm. Reports surfaced in July 2012 that Shallah and the PIJ leadership had moved to Iran amidst the ongoing Syrian civil war. “Islamic Jihad Leadership Relocates to Iran,” Asharq Al-Awsat, July 22, 2012, http://www.aawsat.net/2012/07/article55241265. PIJ denied its leadership had left Syria, “Islamic Jihad Leadership Relocates to Iran,” Asharq Al-Awsat, July 22, 2012, http://www.aawsat.net/2012/07/article55241265. though Shallah regularly praised PIJ’s relationship with Iran Lena Odgaard, “Head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad Praises Relationship with Iran,” Al-Monitor, November 30, 2012, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2012/al-monitor/shallah-interview.html. and met with Iranian officials. Asmaa al-Ghoul, “Hamas Isolated as Iran Boosts Ties with Islamic Jihad, Fatah,” Al-Monitor, February 12, 2014, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulseen/originals/2014/02/islamic-jihad-fatah-hamas-iran-palestinians.html.

In April 2018, Shallah reportedly fell into a coma after being hospitalized in Lebanon for heart surgery. PIJ denied the reports of Shallah’s illness.Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/. Nonetheless, PIJ elected Ziad al-Nakhalah to replace Shallah that October.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/; “Palestinian Islamic Jihad chooses new leader, remains close to Iran,” Times of Israel, September 28, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-islamic-jihad-chooses-new-leader-remains-close-to-iran/. Shallah reportedly never awoke from his coma and died on June 6, 2020, at the age of 62. PIJ did not identify where Shallah died but news reports suspected he was in Lebanon.Nour Abu Aisha and Mohamed Majed, “Ramadan Shalah: Palestinian advocate of Jerusalem,” Anadolu Agency, June 6, 2020, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/ramadan-shalah-palestinian-advocate-of-jerusalem/1868298; “Former Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah dies at 62,” Times of Israel, June 6, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-palestinian-islamic-jihad-leader-shalah-dies-at-62/.

Saudi national Ibrahim al-Rubaish was a U.S.-designated senior cleric, or mufti, of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).“Counter Terrorism Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 18, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20141218.aspx;
“Rewards for Justice - Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, October 14, 2014, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/232932.htm. He was responsible for issuing religious rulings and providing theological justifications for the group’s acts of terror.“Rewards for Justice - Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, October 14, 2014, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/232932.htm. Rubaish’s writings were regularly published in AQAP’s online English magazine, Inspire.Ibrahim Ar-Rubaysh, “The Crusade and the Swap of Stances,” Inspire Magazine 12 (2014): 26. Rubaish was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen on April 12, 2015, according to AQAP.Polly Mosendz, “Ibrahim al-Rubaish, Top Al-Qaeda Leader in Yemen, Killed in Drone Strike,” Newsweek, April 14, 2015, http://www.newsweek.com/ibrahim-al-rubaish-top-al-qaeda-leader-yemen-killed-drone-strike-322277/.

Rubaish was captured by Pakistani officials in Afghanistan in December 2001 and transferred to Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, where the Department of Defense’s Joint Taskforce Guantanamo (JTF) classified him as a member of both the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The JTF determined that Rubaish was of medium intelligence value, and posed a medium level risk to the United States, its interests, and allies.“The Guantanamo Docket: Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad Arbaysh,” New York Times, accessed March 8, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/guantanamo/detainees/192-ibrahim-sulayman-muhammad-arbaysh.

According to JTF summaries, Rubaish grew up in Saudi Arabia and attended Jamiate Al-Emam Mohammed Bensawut in Al-Brida, Saudi Arabia, where he earned a degree in Islamic jurisprudence. He was deeply influenced by Sheikh Hamoud al Uqala, who urged Muslims to join in violent jihad.“The Guantanamo Docket: Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad Arbaysh,” New York Times, accessed March 8, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/guantanamo/detainees/192-ibrahim-sulayman-muhammad-arbaysh.

Rubaish first sought to join jihadist movements in Chechnya. Upon his decision to take up jihad, Rubaish connected with an al-Qaeda recruiter based in Saudi Arabia, who encouraged him to travel to al-Qaeda training camps in the Af-Pak region.  Rubaish is believed to have traveled to Pakistan in May of 2001 before fighting with al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan.“The Guantanamo Docket: Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad Arbaysh,” New York Times, accessed March 8, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/guantanamo/detainees/192-ibrahim-sulayman-muhammad-arbaysh.

During his detainment in Guantanamo, Rubaish was determined to be non-compliant, at times allegedly assaulting officers there. He contributed a poem to Marc Falkoff’s Poems from Guantanamo: the Detainees Speak, published by the University of Iowa Press in 2007.  Among the contributors to Falkoff’s collections were Afghan citizen and fellow Guantanamo detainee Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost who, upon his repatriation to Afghanistan, would return to terrorism and serve as an ISIS commander in the Af-Pak region.“Poems from Guantánamo: The Detainees Speak,” University of Iowa Press, https://www.uipress.uiowa.edu/books/2007-fall/falpoefro.html.

Rubaish was repatriated to Saudi Arabia in December 2006 and was enrolled in the national de-radicalization program, Care.Siobhan Gorman, “U.S. Terror Alert Prompted by High-Level al Qaeda Communications,” Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2013, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323514404578650333681440310. Rubaish later escaped and joined AQAP in Yemen.Siobhan Gorman, “U.S. Terror Alert Prompted by High-Level al Qaeda Communications,” Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2013, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323514404578650333681440310.

Following the deadly Paris attacks in January 2015, Rubaish issued an audio message calling for more attacks against the West, especially in France. Though the chief theologian of a major al-Qaeda branch, Rubaish praised al-Qaeda’s competitor, ISIS, for that group’s major military successes in Iraq and Syria.“In Audio Message Released On Twitter, Top AQAP Cleric Calls For Targeting Anyone Insulting Muhammad, Threatens Continuous Attacks In The West: 'The Unbelievers Should Be Struck In Their Own Countries... [The Jihad] Must Continue... We Must Push Them,” MEMRI, February 1, 2015, https://www.memri.org/jttm/audio-message-released-twitter-top-aqap-cleric-calls-targeting-anyone-insulting-muhammad.

On October 14, 2014, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $5 million for information on Rubaish’s location.“Rewards for Justice - Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, October 14, 2014, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/232932.htm. In December of that year, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Rubaish as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and a Specially Designated National, respectively.“Counter Terrorism Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 18, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20141218.aspx; “In the Matter of the Designation of Ibrahim al-Rubaysh, Also Known as Ibrahimj Sulayman Muhammad Arbaysh, Also Known as Ibrahim Salman Mohammed Al Rubeish, Also Known as Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Sulayman Al Rubaysh, Also Known as Ibrahim Bin Sulayman Al Rubaysh, Also Known as Ibrahim al-Rubaish, Also Known as Abu Muhammad, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended,” Federal Register, December 24, 2014, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/12/24/2014-30217/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-ibrahim-al-rubaysh-also-known-as-ibrahimj-sulayman-muhammad. He was also placed on “most wanted terrorists” lists in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen.“Interior Ministry issues list of extremists wanted for extradition,” Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, February 3, 2009, http://www.saudiembassy.net/latest_news/news02030902.aspx;
Siobhan Gorman, “U.S. Terror Alert Prompted by High-Level al Qaeda Communications,” Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2013, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323514404578650333681440310.

On April 12, 2015, Rubaish was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen.“Senior al-Qaeda Leader in Yemen Killed in US Strike,” Al Jazeera, April 15, 2015, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/4/15/senior-al-qaeda-leader-in-yemen-killed-in-us-strike. His death, alongside that of several other militants, was confirmed two days later by AQAP in a statement posted on Twitter.“Yemen’s al-Qaeda Branch Says Its Top Cleric Killed in Drone Strike,” CBS News, April 14, 2015, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yemens-al-qaeda-branch-says-its-top-cleric-ibrahim-al-rubaish-killed-in-drone-strike/. In the announcement, he was celebrated for spending “two decades of his life in jihad, fighting America and its agents.”“Senior al-Qaeda Leader in Yemen Killed in US Strike,” Al Jazeera, April 15, 2015, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/4/15/senior-al-qaeda-leader-in-yemen-killed-in-us-strike.

Following Rubaish’s death, on May 20, 2022, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Treasury Department revoked Rubaish’s designation as a SDGT and SDN.“Revocation of Five Foreign Terrorist Organizations Designations and the Delisting of Six Deceased Individuals as Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, May 20, 2022, https://www.state.gov/revocation-of-five-foreign-terrorist-organizations-designations-and-the-delisting-of-six-deceased-individuals-as-specially-designated-global-terrorists; “Counter Terrorism Designations Removals and Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 20, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220520.