After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , there was renewed interest in the United States in apprehending those connected to terrorism , as well as new laws that gave greater power for " extraterritorial jurisdiction " , or the ability of the U.S. government to investigate and arrest people suspected of committing crimes outside the United States . In 2006 , the Drug Enforcement Administration decided to put together a sting to trap al-Kassar , code-named " Operation Legacy " and led by Jim Soiles and the DEA 's Special Operations Division . They enlisted a 69-year-old Palestinian former member of the Black September Organization , referred to publicly only as " Samir " , who was then being held in a U.S. prison . Samir spent much of 2006 trying to arrange a meeting with al-Kassar , and was finally able to in December 2006
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Monzer al-Kassar