LAFAYETTE, La. — A man currently living and working in Lafayette made his first court appearance Friday morning after federal prosecutors accused him of taking part in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Lafayette first obtained by ABC News and the New York Times, Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub Al-Muhtadi provided, attempted to provide, or conspired to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If you want to read the complaint, scroll down.
Al-Muhtadi appeared in court and participated in the proceedings on Friday with the assistance of a translator. Al-Muhtadi indicated he had not read the criminal complaint filed against him. The judge read the complaint aloud to Al-Muhtadi with the assistance of the translator. As of early Friday afternoon, the proceeding was ongoing.
Al-Muhtadi was arrested on charges stemming from his alleged participation in the attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where around 60 people were killed and 19 kidnapped, according to the criminal complaint. His alleged victims included multiple American citizens, the complaint said.
Proseuctors said Al-Muhtadi was a member of the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which coordinated with Hamas to carry out the attacks on Israel.
According to the criminal complaint, Al-Muhtadi entered the U.S. on September 12, 2024, via Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Prosecutors said he lied on his visa application in order to enter the country.
Prosecutors said Al-Muhatdi had been living in and working at a restaurant in Lafayette as of September 2025.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) praised federal law enforcement after news of the arrest, saying "anyone involved in the October 7 attacks committed a crime against humanity and deserves to be behind bars."
The massacre of innocent Israeli men, women, and children on October 7 was evil personified. If what is alleged is true, this person needs to be prosecuted to the absolute fullest extent of the law. If the death penalty is available, the federal government should seek it. If state charges can be lodged, we will seek them. I continue to pray for the victims of Hamas’ evil actions that day and afterward.
Here's the complaint:
This is a developing story. We will update it as we learn more details.
