Ahlam Tamimi, a citizen of Jordan since leaving prison in 2011, is currently being considered for extradition to the U.S. For years, the U.S. Department of Justice has sought the extradition of the suspect who is accused (and convicted in an Israeli court) of orchestrating a suicide bombing in 2001.

According to reports and court records, Tamimi is a long-time Hamas activist. In August of 2001, she orchestrated a bombing attack in Jerusalem at a crowded Sbarro restaurant. The attack killed 16 people and wounded over 130. Shoshana Yehudit Greenbaum, a pregnant American tourist, was among those who were killed. A 15-year-old U.S. citizen was also killed.

She was promptly identified and arrested by Israeli authorities after the ordeal. In 2003, she was sentenced to serve out 16 life sentences.

Everything changed for Tamimi, however, when a political deal was struck that secured her release. In 2011, she was released in a prisoner exchange for the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. When she was released, she went to Jordan where she secured citizenship and relative safety. What’s more, she started her own television program. She consistently gives lectures about the bombing and makes public appearances. In 2017, she did an interview with The Associated Press and stated that Palestinians have a right to resist Israel by any means including deadly attacks.

In 2013, the United States charged Tamimi with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against American nationals, but the indictment remained under seal until 2017. At that point, the U.S. announced its intent to seek extradition of the suspect from Jordan. Considering the controversy, Jordan’s high court blocked the extradition claiming that the country didn’t have an official, ratified extradition treaty with the U.S. In 2021, Interpol dropped an international arrest warrant against her and the U.S. offered up to $5 million for information leading to her arrest.

Now, in 2025, Jordan is reportedly planning on extraditing the suspect and has informed Hamas about their decision, but there hasn’t been any official confirmation regarding the status of Tamimi’s freedom.

Are You Facing International Charges and Potential Extradition?

Clearly, facing charges in a foreign country makes the whole situation very complicated. Even when the accused person has already been convicted of committing the crime in another country, that doesn’t mean that other foreign governments will necessarily have immediate access to apprehend and charge the suspect, too.

This is especially true if the suspect seeks refuge in a country that isn’t on good terms with the country seeking out the extradition order.

If you’re currently facing charges in a foreign country or fear you could be extradited, then it’s best to consult with an international lawyer as soon as possible. The right attorney can help you identify your options and rights. If possible, they might also be able to help you avoid extradition.

Schedule a meeting with our team of global attorneys here at Bukh Law now if you need help with an international criminal case.