May 27, 2009

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesman

STATEMENT BY IAN KELLY, SPOKESMAN

Rewards for Justice – Abdul Basit Usman Reward Offer

 

The Department of State announces a reward offer of up to $1 million for information leading to the location, arrest and/or conviction of Abdul Basit Usman.     

Basit, a Filipino citizen, is a bomb-making expert with links to the Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf Group terrorist organizations.  Because of his association with these U.S. Government-designated international terrorist organizations, U.S. authorities consider Basit to be a threat to U.S. and Filipino citizens and interests.  He is believed to have orchestrated several bombings that have killed, injured, and maimed many innocent civilians. 

Basit is believed to be hiding in central Mindanao.  More information about Basit is located on the Rewards for Justice web site at www.rewardsforjustice.net/usman.

We encourage anyone with information on Basit’s location to contact U.S. Embassy Manila by calling or texting 0918-948-6412 or calling 02-526 – 9832/3/4, or any U.S. Government official or military commander, or the Rewards for Justice staff via the website (www.rewardsforjustice.net), e-mail (RFJ@state.gov), or mail (Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20520-0303, USA).  All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Since its inception in 1984, the Rewards for Justice Program has paid more than $80 million to more than 50 persons for information that prevented international terrorist attacks or helped bring to justice those involved in prior attacks.

 

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