A man from Ontario convicted of planning a terrorist attack in the United States has received a 50-year prison sentence extension for attacking two American prison staff members.
Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, an inmate at U.S. Penitentiary Allenwood in Pennsylvania, carried out the attack in December 2020. Using a makeshift weapon crafted from a part of a steel desk in his cell, he injured two correctional officers. One guard suffered injuries to the hand, while the other sustained severe wounds to the head and face, resulting in the loss of his right eye.
Authorities discovered a note hidden in El Bahnasawy’s sock containing references to a potential terrorist act linked to the Islamic State. Additionally, a pledge of allegiance to the group was found in his cell.
El Bahnasawy was already serving time for his involvement in planning bombings and shootings in New York City on behalf of ISIS. The 28-year-old pleaded guilty in November 2025 to various charges, including assault, attempted murder, possession of contraband in prison, and providing support to ISIS. The new 50-year sentence will be served consecutively to his existing 40-year imprisonment.
