Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, was born in Bint Jbeil, Nabatiyeh Governorate, Lebanon. He is a citizen of both Lebanon and Belgium.
What crimes did Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi commit?
On May 17, 2018, the United States’ Department of the Treasury designated Bazzi as a specially designated global terrorist. Consequently, all property and interests in his property that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and U.S. citizens are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him.
Bazzi assisted in, sponsored and provided financial, material and technological support and financial services to Hizballah, which the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization. In the 1980s, the organization started engaging in terrorist activities, including attacks against U.S. military members, government employees and civilians abroad.
As a key Hizballah financier, Bazzi has provided millions of dollars to the organization over the years. The funds were generated from his business activities not only in Belgium and Lebanon but also in Iraq and throughout West Africa.
Talal Khalil Chahine, 80, of Lebanon and Bazzi allegedly proposed methods to conceal from the U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. law enforcement officials their methods of money laundering. In 2006, the former fled the U.S.
On January 27, 2023, Bazzi and Chahine were indicted in New York. They were each charged with conspiracy to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a specially designated global terrorist, attempt to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a specially designated global terrorist and money laundering conspiracy.
On February 24, 2023, law enforcement authorities in Romania arrested Bazzi. On April 25, 2023, he was extradited from Romania to New York, USA.
On August 10, 2024, Bazzi turned 60. On September 20, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct and to cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a specially designated global terrorist and agreed to forfeit the nearly $830,000 involved in the illegal transaction and to be removed from the U.S. upon completion of his sentence.
The date of Bazzi’s sentencing has yet to be set. Meanwhile, Chahine remains at large in Lebanon.
CONAN Daily 
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