Alleged Kata’ib Hezbollah commander accused of plotting attacks on synagogues demands POW status

Mohammad Al-Saadi, an alleged commander of the Iraqi terrorist group Kata’ib Hezbollah, is demanding prisoner-of-war (POW) status in a New York federal court, arguing his alleged service to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through Kata’ib Hezbollah entitles him to protection under the Third Geneva Convention. Al-Saadi, a dual citizen of Iraq and Iran, faces eight terrorism-related charges, including plotting to bomb synagogues in the United States and orchestrating attacks in Europe. His defense attorneys contend that because the U.S. is involved in an international armed conflict in the Middle East and the government alleges Al-Saadi is a commander in an adversary militia, he should be treated as a POW. As defense attorney Andrew Dalack stated, "Because there is a dispute, we think that he should at least be entitled to prisoner of war status until or unless a judge has determined that he's not entitled to it." The defense also alleges Al-Saadi was secretly detained in Turkey and renditioned to the U.S. in violation of international law, and is seeking improved confinement conditions consistent with POW standards. If convicted, Al-Saadi faces life in prison.