A university student accused of making bomb threat against UH during Zoom lecture

Shafaq news/ A Richmond man is accused of making a bomb threat against the University of Houston (UH) during a Zoom lecture.

Ibrahim Ahmed Al Bayati, 19, faces the federal charges of making threats or conveying false information to destroy by means of fire or explosives and making a threat over interstate commerce. Al Bayati was taken into custody on Friday after the criminal complaint was filed.

According to a press release, Al Bayati identified himself as Abu Qital al Jihadi al Mansur and joined a student lecture on Zoom on Sept. 2.

Officials said he interrupted the lecture by saying, “what does any of this have to do with the fact that UH is about to get bombed in a few days?” Officials said he then said “Islamic State will remain" in Arabic and held up his index finger and repeated the phrase. In the release, officials said Al Bayati’s reference about the “Islamic State” is a reference associated with the terrorist group ISIS.

Al Bayati left the Zoom call after students gasped, officials said.

He is also accused of seeking out ISIS supporters online and helping an individual make a “pledge,” officials wrote in the release. Al Bayati also claimed to be known as an ISIS recruiter.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison in addition to a maximum of five years for making a threat over interstate commerce.

The US-Al-Hurra website said that Al-Bayati did not display any militant tendencies or views while he was staying with his family.

According to the New York Times, Al-Bayati told investigators that the accident was a joke created by him and a friend.