FUGITIVE
CASE #: 1985-55
Hassan Izz-Al-Din
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Athens, Greece
Summary:
Hasan Izz-Al-Din is a Lebanese terrorist wanted by the United States government for his alleged involvement in the June 14, 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which resulted in the death of United States Navy diver Robert Stethem. On October 10, 2001, Izz-Al-Din, along with two other alleged participants in the hijacking, was placed on the initial list of the FBI's top 22 Most Wanted Terrorists. It is believed he is residing in Lebanon.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
According to U.S. officials, Izz-al-Din was one of the two hijackers who took over Flight 847 from Athens to Rome on June 14, 1985. The two men's weapons included a pistol and hand grenades they had smuggled through Athens airport security. The hijackers redirected the Boeing 727 to Beirut. Mohammed Ali Hamadei, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1989 by a West German court for his role in the hijacking, testified that at this point Izz al Din shot U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem and dumped his body onto the tarmac. The plane eventually logged 8,300 miles, flying between Beirut and Algiers. The hijackers released some of the 153 passengers and crew held hostage each time the plane landed. On June 30, the last of the hostages was released after Israel agreed to free 300 prisoners.
Additional Details:
On November 14, 1985, Izz-al-Din was indicted for his role in planning and participating in the hijacking. The United States indicted Izz-al-Din and fellow Lebanese Hamadei, Imad Fayez Mughniyah, and Ali Atwa on July 3, 1985, on charges related to the TWA hijacking. Izz-al-Din has avoided capture for decades. Press reports in 1994 told of failed U.S. efforts to kidnap Izz-al-Din from his Beirut home and bring him by speedboat to a U.S. warship in the Mediterranean. The FBI believes that Izz al Din returned to Lebanon after the hijacking. While he was tied to the Shiite Muslim militant group and political party Hezbollah during the 1980s, Lebanese officials have claimed that he is not currently linked to Hezbollah's party structure. On October 12, 2001, the U.S. Department of State designated Izz-al-Din as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Izz-al-Din was indicted for his role in planning and participating in the hijacking
The last of the hostages was released after Israel agreed to free 300 prisoners
Final negotiation phase ongoing
Hijackers released some of the 153 passengers and crew held hostage each time the plane landed
Izz al Din shot U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem and dumped his body onto the tarmac in Beirut
Izz-al-Din was one of the two hijackers who took over Flight 847 from Athens to Rome
Izz-Al-Din was placed on the initial list of the FBI's top 22 Most Wanted Terrorists
Associated Persons
Imad Fayez M. (Co-hijacker, coordinator) - Deceased
Robert S. (Victim) - Deceased
Mohammed Ali H. (Co-hijacker) - Deceased
Ali A. (Co-conspirator, hijacker) - Living
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