Atwa is believed to be a member of the terrorist organization Lebanese Hizballah. He may be living in Lebanon.
Indicted for conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy, to commit hostage taking, to commit air piracy resulting in murder, to interfere with a flight crew, to place a destructive device aboard an aircraft, to have explosive devices about the person on an aircraft, and to assault passengers and crew; air piracy resulting in murder; air piracy; hostage taking; interference with flight crew; and placing explosives aboard aircraft; placing destructive device aboard aircraft; assault aboard aircraft with intent to hijack with a dangerous weapon and resulting in serious bodily injury; aiding and abetting .
Ali Atwa was indicted for his role in planning and participating in the June 14, 1985 hijacking of a commercial airliner. This hijacking resulted in the assault of multiple passengers and crew members and the murder of one U.S. citizen.