GMU student arrested by FBI, accused of promoting violence against Jews
The FBI has arrested Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, a George Mason University student, on federal charges.
The arrest was made Tuesday in Falls Church, Virginia, by the FBI Washington Field Office's Joint Terrorism Task Force, according to a statement from the agency.
Hassan's arrest has heightened concerns, particularly in New York, where the FBI is investigating potential threats against Jewish communities.
"The FBI’s New York Office wants to reassure our Jewish community here in New York that our office — along with our law enforcement partners — remains vigilant in our efforts to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to our community, using every tool at our disposal to do so," the agency said in a statement.
According to court documents, Hassan is a national of Egypt currently living in Falls Church, Virginia and is currently in removal proceedings with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The FBI believes that Hassan operated several pro-ISIS and Al Qaeda accounts that promoted violence against Jews.
In light of the arrest, George Mason University President Gregory Washington addressed the campus community in a letter to families.
"I am writing to update you on a new situation we are managing relative to a student who was recently arrested by the FBI, as it has caused security concerns among some members of the community that I want to address," Washington wrote.
Washington confirmed that while the arrested student did not live on campus, they have been barred from entering university property.
"As criminal proceedings progress, the university will take appropriate action on student code of conduct violations," he added.
The president also emphasized the university’s ongoing efforts to ensure campus safety, citing measures from the Patriot Plan for Campus Safety and Community Well-Being introduced in November 2023.
"The recent developments have caused the university to take additional appropriate measures to maintain the safety of the university community," Washington said in the campus update. "Events like the two recent actions are proof that these systems are working as intended."
The FBI has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, stressing the importance of community partnership in preventing violence.
Authorities have not released further details about the charges against Hassan, but investigations are ongoing.