Syrian Refugee Arrested for US Church Bomb Plot

A Syrian refugee living in the American state of Pennsylvania has been arrested for allegedly plotting to bomb an African-American church.

Mustafa Mousab Alowemer – who has been living in the city of Pittsburgh for three years after arriving as a refugee from Daraa, Syria – was arrested on Wednesday, 19 June, on charges relating to orchestrating a bomb plot.

According to the US Attorney’s office, the 21-year-old suspect recorded a video of himself pledging an oath of allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Alowemer also discussed targeting US soldiers, a local Yazidi community and a Shia mosque in his video, in order to avenge his fellow jihadi.

Additionally, Alowemer – who had been in contact with an undercover FBI agent – is believed to have bought bomb-making materials to use in an attack on the Legacy International Worship Centre, whose congregation is largely made up of African-American parishioners.

It is believed that the bombing would have been carried out some time next month.

Assistant Attorney General, John Demers, said: “Targeting places of worship is beyond the pale, no matter what the motivation.”