OSU attacker’s inspirer sanctioned

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned a Jamaica-based Islamic cleric who influenced numerous terrorists, including the student who carried out a carand-knife attack last year on the Ohio State campus.

The treasury department’s Office of Foreign Assets has named Abdullah Ibrahim al-Faisal as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” blocking all of his property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him, according

to a news release from the department.

The treasury department said Faisal “directly or indirectly” influenced Abdul Razak Ali Artan, an 18-yearold Ohio State student who used a car and a knife in a 2016 terrorist attack on campus, as well as numerous other terrorists.

Authorities said Artan, a logistics management major and Somali refugee, drove his car into a crowd near Watts Hall on the morning of November 28, 2016. Artan then exited the vehicle and began stabbing people as he ran with a butcher knife before he was fatally shot by Ohio State Police Officer Alan Horujko, who was nearby directing traffic from a gas leak when the attack occurred.

Thirteen people were injured in the attack: 11 were either hit by Artan’s car or stabbed or cut by him; a female OSU student was struck in a foot by a stray bullet believed fired by the OSU officer; and a 13th person was treated for injuries, though authorities didn’t say how he was hurt.

“Faisal has recruited for and provided support to ISIS, and his actions have influenced terrorists who engaged in bomb plots and other horrific attacks on innocent civilians,” said John E. Smith, director of the Office of Foreign Assets. “This designation will help deter Faisal’s global following and prevent U.S. persons from supporting him in any manner.”

Faisal is an ISIS-trusted individual who has vouched for those seeking to join ISIS, the department said. He facilitated and helped connect ISIS recruits with those who could arrange travel and entry into ISIS-controlled territory and helped hide those seeking to join ISIS.

An indictment filed in New York state charges Faisal with recruiting and providing support to those seeking to commit acts of violence and terrorism in connection with ISIS, conspiracy and other charges.

In a Facebook post believed to have been written by Artan before the Ohio State attack, he criticized the United States for interfering in other countries and said that “if you want us Muslims to stop carrying out lone wolf attacks, then make peace.” In a torn-up letter later found by investigators, Artan urged his family to stop being “moderate” Muslims.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the Ohio State attack the day after it occurred. The FBI ultimately concluded Artan acted alone and was not directed by a terrorist organization, though he appeared to have been influenced by extremist ideology, including ISIS propaganda, the agency said in a news release.

In addition to Artan, the Treasury Department said Faisal also influenced a Garland, Texas, shooter in 2015, an attempted Times Square bomber in 2010, a man who planned and attempted to bomb the London Stock Exchange in 2010, the underwear bomber who attempted to down an airliner on approach to Detroit in 2009 and others.

Faisal is currently facing extradition proceedings in Jamaica.