Energy Department worker arrested for allegedly aiding Yemen's Houthi rebels
A 51-year-old employee of the U.S. Energy Department was taken into custody on accusations of providing material support to the Iran-backed Houthi group.
The Justice Department detained Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, who works for the Energy Department, alleging he traveled abroad and used his technical expertise to assist the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors claim he sought to obtain components for explosives and drone weapons. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A Eisenberg described the allegations as “deeply disturbing.” Ellaboudy is set to appear before a federal judge in Washington on October 2.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about potential insider assistance to foreign terrorist groups from within U.S. government agencies.
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