ISIS terrorist serving 40 years for NYC plot gets another 50 after stabbing, blinding prison officers

Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, 28, of Ontario, Canada, will serve the new sentence consecutively to his existing term, according to the Department of Justice. Prosecutors said he carried out the prison attack on behalf of ISIS.

His sentencing comes as his mother, Khdiga R. Metwally, seeks a school board seat in Ontario. Metwally filed to run for Halton District School Board trustee in Milton in the October 26 election, one week after her son’s latest sentencing.

Bahnasawy used a weapon fashioned from part of a steel desk in his cell to attack officers at US Penitentiary Allenwood on December 7, 2020. He stabbed one officer in the head and face, then stabbed a second officer in the hand when she intervened. The first officer eventually lost his right eye.

After restraining Bahnasawy, authorities found a note in his sock declaring, “This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.” Investigators also discovered a pledge of allegiance to ISIS taped inside a locker door in his cell.

“Bahnasawy, who is already serving a 40-year sentence in federal prison for plotting mass casualty attacks in New York City on behalf of ISIS, savagely attacked corrections officers once again on behalf of ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.

“Today’s sentence will further ensure that Bahnasawy remains in prison, where he can do much less harm, for a very long time.”

Bahnasawy pleaded guilty in November 2025 to offenses including assault, assault with intent to commit murder, possession of prison contraband, and providing material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

His original terrorism conviction involved plans to bomb Times Square and the New York City subway system and shoot civilians at concert venues during Ramadan in 2016. According to the DOJ, Bahnasawy obtained bomb-making materials and helped secure a cabin within driving distance of the city to build explosives and stage the attacks. Prosecutors said he identified potential bombing locations on a subway map and wanted to “create the next 9/11.”

An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the plot by posing as an ISIS supporter willing to participate. Bahnasawy was arrested in May 2016 after traveling from Canada to the New York City area to prepare for the attacks. He has remained in custody since. Metwally shouted during her son’s original sentencing: “This is a sick boy! This is crazy. You have no justice.”

Metwally later blamed Canada for her son’s arrest, saying he had been on a mental health waiting list. She also said she rejected violence and extremism and had never supported any violent act by her son or anyone else. Her school board campaign included a pledge to create safe, welcoming learning environments.

“Today’s sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to fight those who perpetrate violence in the name of ISIS even behind prison walls,” said Brian D. Miller, US attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.