SAN DIEGO — Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, of San Diego, California, was arrested on Tuesday following a five-count criminal complaint. The charges include terrorism, sanctions evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.

Sabassi appeared before US Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California. Prosecutors allege in court filings that Sabassi operated social media accounts, crowdfunding websites, and a charity called Ikram - The Arab Charity Foundation Inc. These filings allege Sabassi solicited donations globally, including from US citizens, under the claim that funds would provide humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.

Court documents allege Sabassi raised approximately $600,000 between December 2023 and February 2024. Of this amount, approximately $116,000 was allegedly sent to a Hamas member. Court documents also allege Sabassi attempted to convert about $382,000 into cryptocurrency to transfer to Hamas through Gaza Now, an organization identified as Hamas-linked.

Investigators allege Sabassi publicly expressed support for Hamas on social media. They also allege he created a video regarding the October 7, 2023 attacks and posted it to at least two social media accounts he controlled. Court documents allege Sabassi and a co-conspirator discussed naming a fundraising campaign after the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades before they selected the name Ikram.

Each of the four charges against Sabassi carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Justice Department stated that the charges are accusations and Sabassi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said, "He allegedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through this scheme, which he then funneled to Hamas to help finance that group's terror and violence and to line his own pockets." US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton stated, "Our arrest of Reda Sabassi demonstrates our whole-of-government commitment to prosecute those who provide financial support to a malign terrorist regime that hates America."