George Mason student charged with plotting attack on Israeli consulate

The FBI arrested a student at Virginia's George Mason University (GMU) for the alleged distribution of information related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction and the intent to murder internationally protected persons, court documents show.

According to the documents, Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, an Egyptian national, allegedly operated several accounts on various social platforms, one of which a tipster had described as engaging in "radical and terrorist-leaning behavior.”

The FBI traced the account back to Hassan based on information related to the email address, phone number and IP address.

Prosecutors claimed the account tied to Hassan made posts “revering Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawahiri” and operated “several pro-ISIS and al Qaeda accounts that promoted violence against Jews.”

The court documents allege Hassan, who lives in Falls Church, Va., "planned a mass casualty attack at the Consulate General of Israel using an explosive device and rifle."

Court documents show an FBI information communicated with Hassan on social media and later allegedly "recruited" him to "conduct a mass casualty attack."

The office of the president, Gregory Washington, at GMU on Thursday issued a statement regarding the arrest. The statement said the student has been "barred from entering university property."

"George Mason University continues to take enhanced precautions to maintain a safe and secure university community in light of the recent FBI arrest of one of its students," Washington's statement read.

"As criminal proceedings progress, the university will take appropriate action on student code of conduct violations," he later added.

The Hill has contacted GMU for further comment.

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