BOSTON (AP) — Federal authorities say a Palestinian man lied about his possible ties to terrorist organizations and acts of violence against Israeli military forces in order to travel to the U.S.
The U.S. attorney for Massachusetts on Wednesday said 19-year-old Waad Alzerei is charged with visa fraud and making materially false statements.
Prosecutors say he flew to Boston on Feb. 27. Alzerei, whose leg is amputated, told customs officers he was seeking medical treatment and lost the leg when he was shot by a sniper while picking olives.
Prosecutors say officers searched Alzerei's cellphone and found images that seemed to show his possible affiliation with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Hamas, and showed him throwing rocks at Israeli Defense Forces the day he was shot.
A call was left with his public defender.
(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)