Basil Hassan (born 1987) is a Danish external operations plotter for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In 2013, Hassan was accused of attempting to shoot Lars Hedegaard, a 70-year old Danish author and journalist. After being arrested in Turkey in 2014, he was released as part of an alleged exchange for 49 hostages held by the ISIL.[1] After his release, Hassan was believed to have travelled to Syria to join ISIL.[2] In November 2016, the US State Department issued a note, designating three persons as terror operatives.[2] He was in 2020 reported to be the mastermind of a failed attempt to blow up a long distance airliner, in what was later cited as the most ingenious ISIS terror project.[3]

Basil Hassan
Born1987 (age 36–37)
NationalityDanish
OrganisationIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Background

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Hassan grew up in Greve, Denmark, where he lived until he moved with his family to Nørrebro in Copenhagen around 2000.[4] He began studying at the Frederiksberg Gymnasium in 2003, during which time he started socialising with known extremists.[4] In 2007, one of his friends were convicted for terrorism in the Glostrup Terrorists Case.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Gladstone, Rick (23 September 2014). "Turkish President Hints That Prisoner Exchange Won Release of Hostages Held by ISIS". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Spokesman (22 November 2016). "State Department Terrorist Designations of Abdullah Ahmed al-Meshedani, Basil Hassan, and Abdelilah Himich". U.S. Department of State (Press release).
  3. ^ Stroobants, Jean-Pierre (1 June 2020). "Quand l'organisation Etat islamique projetait de s'en prendre à un avion de ligne". Le Monde (in French).
  4. ^ a b c "Hvem er den danske topterrorist Basil Hassan?". DR (in Danish). Retrieved 4 April 2024.