Convicted Killer of John Granville Designated a Terrorist; Assets Frozen

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that the U.S. State Department has designated Abd Al-Ra’Ouf Abu Zaid Mohamed Hamza under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. What this means is that all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Hamza has any interest is blocked and any assets he may have under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with him.

            Hamza and three co-conspirators participated in an armed attack in Khartoum, Sudan on January 1, 2008 which led to the death of U.S. Diplomat John Granville. The Buffalo native was working on democracy and governance programs while serving with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). A U.S. Embassy staff member was also killed in the attack.

"As the Office that is leading the criminal investigation into this terrible crime, this is certainly welcome news," said U.S. Attorney Hochul. "This action puts the world on notice that anyone aiding this individual will, along with the defendant, eventually be brought to justice."

            Hamza and the three co-conspirators were convicted of murder and sentenced to death in a Sudanese criminal court in 2009. In 2010, the four men escaped from a maximum security prison, killing a Sudanese police officer and wounding another in the process. Shortly thereafter, Hamza was recaptured and is currently in prison in Khartoum.