Feds seize 13 domains linked to Hezbollah and affiliates

The US Department of Justice announced the seizure of thirteen website domains used by several terrorist-affiliated groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah.

Federal officials say the seizure, announced Thursday, will significantly help to cut off any sources of support and influence to the terrorist organizations in charge of the sites.

The investigation – led by the Justice Department’s National Security Division – claims the domains were controlled by individuals and entities engaged in planning or perpetrating acts of terrorism against Americans.

The FBI and the US Department of Commerce were tasked with investigating the case.

“Today’s seizure reduces Hezbollah's ability to peddle their dangerous violent ideology across the globe,” said Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce.

“This coordinated enforcement action demonstrates that the US Government will creatively use all available enforcement tools to thwart those who seek to perpetrate acts of terror,” Axelrod said.

Investigators on the case obtained court authorization to seize five domains registered to the Public Interest Registry (PIR), and another eight domains registered to Verisign Inc.

According to court records, many of the domain names contained media-related words, such as news and tv, while other addresses ended with .org, the extension normally given to legitimate charitable or non-profit organizations.

According to DoJ officials, it is unlawful for any terrorist-linked organization or hostile nation-state to use American infrastructure to incite deadly violence against the US or its allies.

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) also prohibits Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Global Terrorists (SDGT), as well as their members, from obtaining services, including website and domain services, in the US without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Groups such as Lebanese Hezbollah, Al Manar TV, Ali Damush, Ibrahim al-Sayyid, Islamic Charitable Emdad Committee, Martyrs’ Foundation in Lebanon, and Naim Qasim all fall under those designations.

None of the domains seized had been licensed by the OFAC.

“The FBI, along with our international partners, will continue to seek out those individuals who contribute to the advancement of Lebanese Hezbollah’s malign activities and ensure they are brought to justice, regardless of where, or how, they attempt to hide,” said Robert R. Wells, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division.

Additionally, the 13 domains will be subject to government seizure of any assets or property as part of the take down.