Rewards for Justice Program

The program was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism (Public Law 98-533),{{Cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg2706.pdf|title=Public Law 98-53, An Act to Combat International Terrorism, Oct. 19, 1984|website=www.govinfo.gov|access-date=2020-10-09}} and it is administered by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.{{Cite magazine |title=Top 10 Rewards for Terrorists |url=https://time.com/2890054/terrorist-rewards-for-justice/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |magazine=Time |date=17 June 2014 |language=en}} The Rewards for Justice Program was formerly known as the Counter-Terror Rewards Program, soon shortened to the HEROES program. In 1993, DS launched www.heroes.net{{Cite web|url=http://www.heroes.net/|title=Bureau of Diplomatic Security|date=April 27, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970427223345/http://www.heroes.net/|archive-date=1997-04-27}} to help publicize reward information. Brad Smith, a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agent assigned to desk duty due to illness, served as the lone site administrator and program manager running the operation from his home.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hri.org/news/usa/std/1999/99-01-26.std.html|title=U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing #12, 99-01-26|website=www.hri.org|access-date=2019-11-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://1997-2001.state.gov/briefings/statements/1999/ps990126b.html|title=1/26/99: Death of Diplomatic Security Special Agent Brad Smith|website=1997-2001.state.gov|access-date=2019-11-18}} By 1997, the site was getting more than one million hits a year from 102 countries.{{Cite web|url=https://gcn.com/articles/1998/08/24/state-web-site-gathers-tips-on-embassy-blasts.aspx|title=State Web site gathers tips on embassy blasts -|last1=Tiboni|first1=Frank|date=August 24, 1998|website=GCN|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}} Smith is also credited with the idea to put photos of wanted terrorists on matchbook covers. DSS agents assigned to embassies and consulates throughout the world ensured that the matchbooks got wide distribution at bars and restaurants. File:2006 April BLOODMONEYPOSTER3 lg back.jpg

The Secretary of State is currently offering rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. Rewards also may be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. As of 2022, The Rewards for Justice program has paid more than $250 million to 125 individuals for leading information that prevented international terrorist attacks or helped bring to justice those involved in prior acts.{{Cite web |title=Public Law 98-53, An Act to Combat International Terrorism, Oct. 19, 1984 |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg2706.pdf |access-date=2020-10-09 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections |url=https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offer-for-information-on-foreign-interference-in-u-s-elections/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Success Stories |url=https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/about-rfj/success-stories.html |access-date=11 November 2017 |publisher=Rewards for Justice |location=Washington, DC, U.S.A.}}

After the September 11 attacks, the list of wanted terrorists increased dramatically, and rewards were also increased, as part of the U.S. efforts to capture al-Qaeda leadership. However, the plan has been largely ineffective against Islamic terrorists.{{cite news |last=Whitlock |first=Craig |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/16/AR2008051603921.html?hpid=topnews |title=Bounties a Bust in Hunt for Al-Qaeda |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 May 2008}} The largest reward offered was $25 million for the leader of al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, which had "attracted hundreds of anonymous calls but no reliable leads." Osama bin Laden was shot and killed inside a private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by members of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group and Central Intelligence Agency operatives in a covert operation on May 2, 2011.

Robert A. Hartung, Assistant Director of Diplomatic Security's Threat Investigations and Analysis Directorate, announced on September 2, 2010 that the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards of up to $5 million each for information that leads law enforcement or security forces to Hakimullah Mehsud and Wali ur Rehman.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rm/146728.htm |title=Diplomatic Security Service announces $5 million dollar reward |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=2010-09-01 |access-date=2011-12-20}}{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/2010/146597.htm |title=Briefing of USG efforts to disrupt and dismantle Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=2011-12-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905023123/https://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/2010/146597.htm |archive-date=2010-09-05 }}{{Cite web | url = http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/ | title = Millions of dollars available for information leading to the capture of Terrorists | date = 27 May 2011 | publisher = DSS Rewards for Justice}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/us-pressures-pakistan-ayman-zawahiri-militant-leaders/story?id=13701607 |title=U.S. Pressures Pakistan to Go After Ayman Zawahiri and Other Militant Leaders |publisher=ABC News |date=2011-05-27 |access-date=2011-12-20}} Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented a list of "the five most wanted terrorists" to Pakistan;{{cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/us-draws-uplist5-most-wanted-terrorists-to-be-hit_547497.html |title=US draws up a list of 5 most wanted terrorists to be hit - PTI |date=28 May 2011 |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |access-date=2011-12-20}} the list included Ayman al-Zawahiri, Mohammed Omar, Ilyas Kashmiri, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman and Sirajuddin Haqqani. Each of these five had bounties issued against them by the program;{{cite web|url= http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/most-wanted/all-regions.html |publisher=Rewards for Justice | title = Wanted for Terrorism |access-date=2011-12-20}} however, Kashmiri, who US Intelligence officials said they were 99% sure was killed in an airstrike in South Waziristan on June 3, 2011, was removed from the list. Rahman was killed in an airstrike in North Waziristan in August 2011.{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/world/asia/28qaeda.html | newspaper = The New York Times | title = C.I.A. Drone Is Said to Kill Al Qaeda's No. 2 | first = Mark | last = Mazzetti | date = 27 August 2011 | access-date = 13 November 2012 | location = Washington}} Omar died of tuberculosis in Karachi, Pakistan in April 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/07/29/taliban-leader-mullah-omar/30819359/|title=Afghan intel agency: Taliban leader died two years ago|website=USA Today|date=29 July 2015}} Al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan in July 2022.{{cite web | url= https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/01/politics/joe-biden-counter-terrorism/index.html | title=US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan | date=2 August 2022 | publisher=CNN }}

On December 22, 2011, Rewards for Justice announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Ezedin Abdel Aziz Khalil (aka Yasin al-Suri), the leader of an al-Qaeda fundraising network in Iran that transfers money and recruits via Iranian territory to Pakistan and Afghanistan.{{cite news |title=U.S. Offers $10M for Iran-Based Al Qaeda Financier |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/22/us-offers-10m-for-iran-based-al-qeada-financier/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223103454/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/22/us-offers-10m-for-iran-based-al-qeada-financier/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |agency=NewsCore |date=22 December 2011 |access-date=24 December 2011}} It marked the first time that Rewards for Justice offered a reward for information leading to a terrorist financier.{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/12/179654.htm |title=Briefing on New Rewards for Justice Reward Offer |date=22 December 2011 |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=25 December 2011}}

In April 2020, Rewards for Justice Program offered $5 million for information leading to identify North Korean hackers who target United States critical infrastructure.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/04/16/us-government-offers-5-million-reward-to-identify-north-korean-hackers/#582714fa1834|title=U.S. Government Offers $5 Million Reward To Identify North Korean Hackers|website=Forbes|date=16 April 2020}}

• Diplomatic Security Service
• FBI Most Wanted Terrorists
• Narcotics Reward Program

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• {{official website|http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/}}
• [https://2001-2009.state.gov/m/ds/terrorism/c8651.htm Bureau of Diplomatic Security description]
• [https://2001-2009.state.gov/coalition/cr/fs/12712.htm Factsheet] (August 15, 2002) from the U.S. Department of State
• [https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rm/146728.htm Diplomatic Security Service announces $5 million dollar reward]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100905023123/http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/2010/146597.htm Briefing of USG efforts to disrupt and dismantle Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)] (September 1, 2010)
• [https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/ U.S. Diplomatic Security]

Category:1984 establishments in the United States

Category:Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Category:Rewards for Justice

Category:Counterterrorism in the United States