Publicity Campaign Launched In Afghanistan To Publicize $1 Million Reward for Adam GadahnBureau of Diplomatic SecurityWashington, DC May 30, 2008  American Fugitive Born in California Charged With Treason
The FBI has partnered with the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security in launching a publicity campaign in Afghanistan to find Adam Gadahn, a fugitive wanted by the FBI on charges of treason and material support of terrorism, announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles and Gregory B. Starr, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Gadahn, who is believed to be an integral part of al-Qaeda's media and recruitment branch, has endorsed terrorist activity, including calling for the murder of Americans in U.S. cities, and has implored Americans to renounce their allegiance to the United States, among other crimes alleged in the indictment. The campaign, co-funded by the FBI, will be administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security as part of “Rewards for Justice (RFJ),” the Department of State’s counterterrorism rewards program, which was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism. Under the RFJ program, the Secretary of State offers rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. Rewards may also be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. For instance, the Secretary of State authorized a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Ladin and other key al-Qaeda leaders. The RFJ program has paid over $77 million to over 50 people since the program began in 1984 and has been instrumental in the capture of multiple individuals, including brothers Uday and Qusay Hussein, and Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, among others. In February of this year, Pakistani media outlets reported that Gadahn was killed in an air strike there with known al-Qaeda associate, Abu Laith al-Libi. The FBI has neither confirmed nor denied these reports and does not possess conclusive evidence or reliable confirmation that these reports are accurate. In the absence of such confirmation, Gadahn is considered a fugitive and is currently being sought by the FBI. Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles expressed optimism that the Rewards for Justice initiative would aid investigators in finding Gadahn, whose capture is a top priority in Los Angeles where he is charged with treason. “The FBI will continue to investigate at home and by building partnerships abroad to find and arrest Gadahn, who has repeatedly vowed his support for a terrorist organization and who has endorsed the death of Americans through terrorist acts.” The RFJ campaign in Afghanistan will be carried out by the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security which has already begun airing radio advertisements with information concerning the $1 million reward being offered for information about Gadahn. Additionally, printed materials including matchbooks, handbills and posters will be distributed throughout the region in the coming weeks in attempts to elicit cooperation from members of the Afghan community. Distributed material will instruct anyone with information about Gadahn or his whereabouts to contact the Regional Security Office or the FBI’s Legal Attache stationed at the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien said, “As the first person charged with treason against the United States since World War II, the capture of Adam Gadahn is a high priority for the Justice Department. This man has advocated the overthrow of the United States government and applauded the murder of United States citizens. He deserves to be prosecuted, and I hope this new campaign will help bring him to justice.” Anyone with information on a past or planned act of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide, or regarding the location of a key terrorist leader, is urged to contact RFJ directly at the following: Internet: www.rewardsforjustice.net (secure online tip form) E-mail: RFJ@state.gov Hotline: 1-800-US-REWARDS (1-800-877-3927) Mail: Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20522-0303 The treason investigation of Adam Gadahn in Los Angeles is being handled by the Orange County Joint Terrorism Task Force which includes local members from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Irvine Police Department, Garden Grove Police Department, Cypress Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Buena Park Police Department, Anaheim Police Department and Riverside Sheriff’s Department; and at the federal level, including U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and additional members of the intelligence community. Photos and additional information about Gadahn may be found on the FBI’s website at www.fbi.gov. Contact: David Bates Laura Eimiller Thom Mrozek |
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