Adam Yahiye Gadahn

Who is Adam Yahiye Gadahn?

Adam Yahiye Gadahn is an American who is a senior operative, cultural interpreter, spokesman and media advisor for the Islamist group al-Qaeda. Since 2004, he appeared in a number of videos produced by al-Qaeda as "Azzam the American". Gadahn converted to Islam in 1995, at the age of 17, at a California mosque and is described as a "homegrown," meaning that he has converted to an ideology so firmly that he is now willing to harm his country of origin. American intelligence officials allege that he inspired the 2007 Osama bin Laden video.

In 2004, he was added to the FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list. On October 11, 2006 he was removed from that list, and placed on the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Rewards for Justice Program list of wanted criminals. On the same day, Gadahn was indicted based on the testimony of the FBI case agent E.J. Hilbert II, in the Southern Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California by a federal grand jury for the capital crime of treason for aiding an enemy of the United States.