Minh Quang Pham, also known as "Amin," has been sentenced to 44 years in prison for terrorism-related offenses. The sentencing was announced by Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Devin DeBacker, Head of the National Security Division of the United States Department of Justice. Pham's charges stem from his support of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a recognized foreign terrorist organization. His activities included an attempted suicide bombing at Heathrow International Airport.
Pham pled guilty on May 11, 2023, to providing material support to AQAP and conspiring to receive military training from them. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman imposed the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon remarked that Pham's actions were "an affront to the safety of this country" and emphasized the resolve to prevent terrorism and incarcerate those who attempt it.
Devin DeBacker stated: “The defendant was sentenced for an attempt to commit an act of terrorism and plotting a suicide bombing on behalf of AQAP.”
Court documents reveal that in December 2010, while living in London, Pham traveled to Yemen via Ireland with intentions to join AQAP and engage in jihad. He pledged loyalty to AQAP upon arrival in Yemen.
During his time there between 2010 and 2011, Pham received training from Anwar al-Aulaqi, a senior leader within AQAP born in the U.S., who instructed him on creating explosive devices intended for use at Heathrow Airport upon his return to the UK.
In June or July 2011, before leaving Yemen for the UK, Pham recorded a video encouraging violent jihad against Western targets and expressed a desire for martyrdom.
Upon returning to Heathrow on July 27, 2011, UK authorities detained him briefly after finding armor-piercing ammunition but released him until his arrest under immigration laws later that year.
On May 24, 2012, a grand jury indicted Pham on terrorism charges leading to his extradition from the UK on February 26, 2015. Initially sentenced by Judge Alison J. Nathan in May 2016 for similar offenses related to these acts with a term of 40 years imprisonment affirmed by appeals court but later vacated due legal challenges resulting new indictment reinstating charges he pleaded guilty again last year receiving current sentence today alongside lifetime supervised release $400 special assessment fee imposed additionally praised FBI’s Washington Field Office role investigation thanked various international partners their cooperation throughout process including Metropolitan Police Service/SO15 Counter Terrorism Command New Scotland Yard Crown Prosecution Service Home Office among others
Assistant U.S Attorney Jacob H Gutwillig oversees prosecution aided Trial Attorney John Cella National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section