Overview

Nader Saadeh is an American ISIS supporter who allegedly attempted to join the terrorist group in the spring of 2015. He flew to Jordan on May 5, 2015, with the intention of meeting his brother, Alaa Saadeh, and Samuel Rahamin Topaz in Turkey to cross over into ISIS-held territory.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. Jordanian authorities detained him and he soon returned to the United States.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download. The FBI arrested Saadeh in New Jersey on August 10, 2015.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. He originally plednot guilty but later, in December 2015, agreed to a plea bargain. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.“New Jersey Man Charged With Plotting To Support ISIS Militants,” CBS News, August 10, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/08/10/nj-terror-plot-charge/;
Jaimie Julia Winters, “Rutherford resident admits to conspiring with ISIS,” NorthJersey.com, December 10, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/2.4225/rutherford-resident-admits-to-conspiring-with-isis-1.1471871.

Saadeh and his brother Alaa are dual citizens of the United States and Jordan.According to Saaedh’s criminal complaint, his parents were deported from the United States for criminal convictions, though the year is not specified. As of April 2015, the Saadehs’ father lived in Oman and their mother lived in Jordan. Following their parents’ deportation, the Saadeh boys lived with a person identified in the complaint as “Individual 1.” This person informed the FBI in April 2015 of the Saadehs’ plan to join ISIS.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.

Beginning in late 2014, Saadeh allegedly grew more radical and deepened his religious observance. He dyed his beard red with henna—a custom demonstrating piety—and began wearing traditional Islamic clothes. During this time Saadeh allegedly converted Topaz to Islam.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.

Saadeh allegedly “justified” the Charlie Hebdo attack and ISIS’s immolation of Muath al-Kaseasbeh, a Jordanian air force pilot captured by the terror group.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. He began referring to ISIS as his Muslim brothers and professed ISIS-controlled territory was a state. He insisted ISIS had never committed any human-rights violations and was the only group fighting for “freedom.”

Saadeh allegedly believes other governments have been influenced into opposing ISIS through government and media propaganda.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.