Judicial Watch Sues FBI for Records on Death of ‘Most Wanted’ Terrorist Marwan

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice for records related to the killing of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” during a police raid (Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:25-cv-01991)).

Zulkifli bin Hir aka “Marwan” in August 2007 was indicted by the Justice Department for conspiracy and providing material support to terrorists:

Zulkifli Abdhir, aka “Zulkifli Bin Abdul Hir, aka “Hulagu,” aka “Marwan,” age 41, a fugitive believed to be in the Philippines, is charged in the indictment with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists. In September 2003, the U.S. government designated Abdhir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224. In March 2007, the State Department added him to the most-wanted list of its Rewards for Justice program and authorized a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction …

In January 2015, Zulkifli bin Hir reportedly was killed during a raid by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force. Forty-four members of the police’s elite force also died in the assault.

A finger taken from a man killed in the raid was delivered to the FBI for DNA analysis. The FBI stated: “After a thorough review of forensic data and information obtained from our Philippine law enforcement partners, the FBI has assessed that terrorism subject, Zulkifli Abdhir … is deceased and has been removed from the FBI’s list of Most Wanted Terrorists.”

Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit after the FBI failed to respond to an April 25, 2025, FOIA request for records on Zulkifli bin Hir (aka “Marwan”) and his death during Oplan (Operation Plan) Exodus on January 25, 2015, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Philippines. The request asked for records about the collection, analysis, and chain of custody of a severed left index finger alleged to belong to Marwan, as well as photographs of his body and any related identification or forensic documentation.

“Marwan was a high-profile international terrorist on the FBI’s Most Wanted list with a $5 million reward,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “The operation that brought him down over a decade ago was a major event in Philippine and U.S. counterterrorism history. It’s time for transparency.”

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