NIAMEY VISAS VIPER SUBMISSION WATCHLIST NOMINATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 000455 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2019 TAGS: KVPR CVIS PTER ASEC CMGT PINR PREL NG SUBJECT: NIAMEY VISAS VIPER SUBMISSION WATCHLIST NOMINATION REF: TD314/034819-09 Classified By: CONSOFF Karan Swaner, Reason 1.4 (c/d) ¶1. (SBU) On May 19, 2009, Post received an application for a non-immigrant visa from Egyptian national Abdel Wahed Mohamed Ali Mahmoud AWAD, born in Sohad, Egypt on 03 February 1956. His passport #1643595 was issued in Sohag, Egypt on 16 January 2007. He is married to Amcit Kristina Lasley, with whom he has resided in Niamey for over a year. ¶2. (C) The subject's Amcit wife visited the consular section last year to request information about possible repatriation, stating that she had been the victim of domestic violence. At that time, she told the consular officer that her husband traveled often and that she believed he might be involved in some sort of terrorist activity. However, she did not provide sufficient information to identify her husband, confirm his activities, or locate their residence in Niamey. She did not return to the Embassy until she came to request information about the non-immigrant visa application process, shortly before her husband's visa interview. ¶3. (C) After the visa application, the Regional Affairs Office was able to obtain confirmation that Mr. Awad is the "spiritual leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in Niger." His report (reftel) describes Mr Awad's leading role in a recent meeting held in Niamey. ¶4. (SBU) During the visa interview, the applicant was advised that his case would require administrative processing. Mr. Awad,s visa application was adjudicated as a 221 (g) and post submitted an SAO. ¶5. (U) This information is provided for watchlisting purposes as the Department and the National Counter terrorism Center (NCTC) deem appropriate. ALLEN