Wassef Ali Hassoun
Accused Deserter on Navy ‘Most Wanted’ List
A mug shot of Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun appeared this week on a Navy criminal justice Web site, which claims the missing corporal now uses the alias “Jafar.” His placement on the Navy’s “most wanted” list puts him among a select group of fugitives, some of whom are being hunted on allegations of terrorism, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, indecent assault and rape.
Military officials say they have no information about the 24-year-old man’s whereabouts, and have been unable to confirm news reports that Hassoun was in Canada or Lebanon.
Hassoun’s family has said they last heard from him Dec. 29.
You may remember Hassoun from the news when it was thought he had been abducted by terrorists and a video was made in which it was believed he would be beheaded. He later showed up in Lebanon and still claimed he had been kidnapped. It wasn’t until months later that authorities found out he had stolen a military vehicle and took off for Lebannon on his own.
This time around he was supposed to be present for a pre-trial hearing about the charges of theft and desertion. Instead of showing up he disappeared and is now being listed as a deserter for the second time.
I’m curious as to why he was allowed to be on his own if he was already being charged with desertion.
Articles of Interest
Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun
Wassef Ali Hassoun
January 16, 2005 - 11:24 AM on January 16th, 2005
I never bought the original story and I guess I was right. You are right though, why would they have allowed to to be free?
January 16, 2005 - 01:38 PM on January 16th, 2005
in answer to your question as to why he was free to flee, he had previously been granted leave, i believe twice, & had returned to his post. he was not thought of as a flight risk.
you’re right, the irony of him being ‘on bail’ for a crime where ’showing up’ was the entire point, is strange to its core.
January 17, 2005 - 08:49 AM on January 17th, 2005
Like all dererters he should be tracked down and sent to prison he is a deserter and not worth it and if he calls himself jafar the imprison him in a lamp:grin:
September 17, 2005 - 06:45 PM on September 17th, 2005
the corps. doesnt deal with deserters in sympatico; usually, a gunshot aft of the temporal lobe suffices. semper fi old style! OOORAH!