West African terrorist charged with death of American citizen and supporting Al-Qaeda

The Justice Department announced the arraignment of a Mauritanian man in New York federal court on six counts related to terrorism, including an attack that killed an American citizen.

Fawaz Ould Ahmed Ould Ahemeid, 44, arrived in the United States on Friday and was arraigned the next day in the New York Eastern District Federal Court for his roles in three terrorist attacks in Mali in 2015 that killed 38 people, including five United Nations workers and a U.S. citizen, officials announced.

"Ahemeid planned and executed deadly attacks targeting westerners, including Americans, and will now be brought to justice," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said. "Let this be a reminder to any who would use violence against our people: no matter how far you run or how long you hide, we will not relent in our efforts to hold you accountable."

Ahemeid joined al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb around 2007, officials said.

He was charged with the murder of an American citizen, using firearms to carry out a crime of violence, providing material support for a designated foreign terrorist organization and unlawful use of explosives, among other things.