2005 press releases
Rewards For Justice: U.S. Offers Millions for Information on Whereabouts of TWA 847 Hijackers
20th Anniversary of Terrorist Operation
June 29, 2005
Twenty years ago this month, TransWorld Airlines’ Flight 847 from Rome to Boston, was hijacked. Millions around the world watched the drama unfold on television sets as the plane landed and took off in Beirut, landed and took off from Algiers. In Beirut again, the hijackers brutally murdered 23-year U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem, throwing his body onto the tarmac. Over 17 days, the plane and terrified passengers zigzagged through the Mediterranean region. The crisis eventually ended but the suspected hijackers have never been brought to justice: Imad Fayez Mugniyeh, Hassan Izz-Al-Din and Ali Atwaa are thought to be in Lebanon or Syria.
To bring these murderers to justice, the United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5 million. The money is available under a program to obtain information that helps punish those responsible for past international terrorist acts against U.S. persons or property and prevent future such acts. Called "Rewards for Justice," this program pays rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. Fifty-seven million dollars has been paid, in the past seven years to 34 people who have provided credible information that put terrorists in prison or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.
The Lebanese people themselves understand, through first hand experience, the pain, anger, frustration and sense of injustice of unsolved murders. The United States will pay cash rewards—in any currency—for information that assists in bringing to justice those who murder and terrorize its citizens. You can benefit by sharing information. If you know where Stethem’s murderers are or have other information you believe may be helpful, visit the U.S. Embassy website: http://lebanon.usembassy.gov and click on Rewards for Justice under U.S. Links or visit http://www.rewardsforjustice.net.
