Washington, D.C. – Federal authorities have taken into custody a 51‑year‑old electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, charging him with secretly assisting the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement in Yemen.
Alleged clandestine trip to Yemen
According to the Department of Justice, the suspect, identified as Ashton Hameed Elaboudi, flew to Yemen in September of the previous year. An FBI affidavit claims his purpose was to establish contacts with Houthi operatives and help upgrade the rebel group’s communications network.
Official story fails to hold up
Upon his return to the United States, Elaboudi told Customs and Border Protection that he had arrived from Oman on a work assignment, asserting that he was part of a U.S. government mission to inspect missile‑defence installations. Investigators later discovered that his supervisor was unaware of any such overseas deployment and that no Department of Energy program justified travel to Yemen or Oman.
Links to Houthi‑affiliated contacts
FBI records reveal that Elaboudi discussed covert entry and exit routes for Yemen and expressed a desire to reach the capital, Sana’a, to meet senior Houthi figures. Although he never entered the city, the affidavit notes that he exchanged messages with several informants, one of whom pretended to be a Houthi colonel. In those communications, Elaboudi offered technical advice on communications gear, ostensibly to improve the rebels’ capabilities.
Questionable purchases under investigation
The probe also uncovered acquisitions that could be repurposed for improvised explosive devices and drone components. Prosecutors say these purchases formed a key part of the evidence supporting the indictment.
Federal terrorism indictment
Elaboudi now faces a federal charge of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, an offense punishable under U.S. law. He is scheduled to appear before a judge, though no counsel was listed at the time of reporting. The case is in its early stages, and both the prosecution and defense are expected to contest the affidavit’s evidentiary basis.
