A man living and working in Lafayette who federal authorities say is a member of a terrorist organization and participated in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, appeared in court for the first time Friday.

Gaza-born Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, 33, also known as Abu Ala, was arrested on a federal warrant and jailed in St. Martin Parish on Thursday.

He faces federal charges of supporting a terrorist organization and visa fraud for providing false information June 26, 2024, on his visa application to enter the United States and obtain legal permanent resident status. He allegedly indicated he had not ever served in a paramilitary or terrorist group.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

The FBI's criminal complaint, which al-Muhtadi heard for the fi

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