Ibraheem Ahmed Al Bayati

Profile narrative

Ibraheem Ahmed Al Bayati, also known by the alias Abu Qital al Jihadi al Mansur, is a U.S. citizen who resided in Richmond, Texas at the time of the alleged offense. He came to public attention in September 2020 after federal authorities charged him with making a bomb threat against the University of Houston during a virtual lecture. The criminal complaint identifies him as a 19‑year‑old individual who used an ISIS‑linked moniker while participating in the Zoom session.

During the September 2, 2020 Zoom lecture, Al Bayati allegedly interrupted the class and stated that the university would be bombed in a few days, then uttered an Arabic phrase meaning “the Islamic State will remain” while raising his index finger in a gesture associated with ISIS. The complaint further alleges that he sought out ISIS supporters online, assisted an individual in making a pledge to the group, and claimed to be known as an ISIS recruiter. These actions led to charges of conveying false information to destroy by means of fire or explosives and making a threat over interstate commerce, each carrying potential prison sentences of up to ten and five years respectively.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Southern District of Texas and a trial attorney from the Department of Justice’s counterterrorism section. If convicted, Al Bayati faces a maximum of fifteen years in federal prison. The case illustrates how an individual can use online platforms to disseminate extremist rhetoric and threaten violence against educational institutions, prompting a federal counterterrorism section.

Incidents

Attributed incidents are available to members.