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U.S. designates Osama bin Laden's former doctor a 'global terrorist'

Ramzi Mawafi, an al-Qaida member, explosives expert and former doctor to Osama bin Laden, has been designated by the U.S. a "specially designated terrorist."

By JC Finley
The U.S. Department of State designated Ramzi Mawafi, an al-Qaida member, explosives expert and former doctor to Osama bin Laden, a "global terrorist" on Oct. 21, 2014. (UPI/State Dept.)
The U.S. Department of State designated Ramzi Mawafi, an al-Qaida member, explosives expert and former doctor to Osama bin Laden, a "global terrorist" on Oct. 21, 2014. (UPI/State Dept.)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of State has designated al-Qaida member Ramzi Mawafi, who was a doctor to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, a "specially designated global terrorist."

The designation, authorized under Executive Order 13224, targets terrorists and supporters of terrorists or acts of terrorism.

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The State Department described the terrorist acts committed by Mawafi -- also known as Ramzi Mowafi, Ramzi Mahmoud al-Mowafi, or Ramzi Muwafi -- in its Tuesday announcement.

"Ramzi Mawafi is an Egyptian national and long-time al-Qaida member best known as the former doctor to Osama bin Laden. Mawafi also served as an explosives expert for al-Qaida. Mawafi escaped from an Egyptian prison in 2011, and is now believed to be in the Sinai Peninsula coordinating among militant groups and helping to arrange money and weapons to support violent extremist activity."

The designation bars U.S. persons from doing business with Mawafi, and any property he holds within the U.S. will be frozen.

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