Washington, D.C. – Federal investigators have taken into custody a 51‑year‑old electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, accusing him of secretly aiding the Iran‑aligned Houthi faction in Yemen.
Underground trip to Yemen
According to the Department of Justice, the suspect, identified as Ashton Hameed Elaboudi, flew to Yemen in September of last year. An FBI affidavit states his mission was to establish contacts with Houthi operatives and help upgrade the rebels’ communications network.
Official story unravels
After re‑entering the United States, Elaboudi told Customs and Border Protection that he had returned from Oman on a work‑related assignment, claiming to be part of a U.S.‑government effort to inspect missile‑defence systems. Investigators later learned that his supervisor had no record of such a trip and that no Department of Energy program required travel to Yemen or Oman.
Links to Houthi‑related 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 arrived in the city, the affidavit notes he corresponded with several informants, one of whom pretended to be a Houthi colonel. In those exchanges, Elaboudi offered technical counsel on communications gear to strengthen the insurgents’ capabilities.
Questionable equipment purchases
The probe also uncovered acquisitions that could be repurposed for improvised explosives and drone components. Authorities consider these purchases a key part of the evidence that led to the indictment.
Federal terrorism indictment
Elaboudi now faces a federal charge of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a violation punishable under U.S. law. He is scheduled to appear before a judge, though a defense attorney had not been listed at the time of reporting. The case is still in its early phases, with both prosecutors and defense expected to dispute the affidavit’s assertions.
