For Immediate Release
June 7, 1999

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

Usama Bin Laden's Wanted Poster

Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI Director Louis J. Freeh today placed Usama Bin Laden, the leader of a terrorist organization known as Al-Qaeda (The Base), on the list of "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives." Bin Laden is charged in connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people, including twelve American citizens, and the wounding of more than 4,000 individuals.

Usama Bin Laden was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on November 4, 1998, in the Southern District of New York, on charges of Murder of U.S. Nationals Outside the United States, Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Nationals Outside the United States, and Attacks on a Federal Facility Resulting in Death.

Usama Bin Laden was born in 1957 in Saudi Arabia. He is described as an Arab male, 6' 4" to 6' 6", approximately 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Bin Laden has an olive complexion and a thin build. He walks with the aid of a cane. In the past, he has resided in Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Afghanistan.

Bin Laden has used the following aliases: Usama Bin Muhammad Bin Ladin, Shaykh Usama Bin Ladin, the Prince, the Emir, Abu Abdallah, Mujahid Shaykh, Hajj, and the Director.

Usama Bin Laden's organization, Al-Qaeda, is extensive and has the capability and willingness to inflict large-scale, random casualties. Bin Laden should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Usama Bin Laden is the 456th person to be placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, which began in 1950. Since then, 427 fugitives have been apprehended or located, 133 of them as a result of citizen assistance.

The U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction of Usama Bin Laden. This reward is the largest amount ever offered for a fugitive wanted by the U.S. Government.

Individuals with information concerning Usama Bin Laden should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Information can also be provided by calling a toll-free number:

1-800-HEROES-1