Trial begins for teen accused of trying to become a bomb maker for extremist Syrian groups

First Assistant District Attorney, Robert Listenbee Jr. takes questions from the media after announcing developments in the case against a West Philadelphia teen who investigators say purchased materials including chemicals, wiring, and tactical equipment associated with improvised explosive devices and conducted research on potential targets. Read more Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

by Ximena Conde Published Sept. 11, 2025, 6:57 p.m. ET

Muhyyee-Ud-Din Abdul-Rahman was a promising student and skilled wrestler with a college scholarship by the time he was 17 years old. But prosecutors say his path took a dark turn in early 2023 after he saw a video of a Syrian schoolhouse being bombed.

A belief that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his regime were persecuting Muslims dro