Samantha Lewthwaite
Samantha Louise Lewthwaite (/ˈluːθweɪt/; born 5 December 1983), also known as Sherafiyah Lewthwaite or the White Widow, is a British woman who is one of the Western world's most wanted terrorism suspects.[4][5][6][7] Lewthwaite, the widow of 7/7 London terrorist bomber Germaine Lindsay, is accused of causing the deaths of more than 400 people.[8]
Samantha Lewthwaite | |
|---|---|
| Born | Samantha Louise Lewthwaite[1] 5 December 1983 Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Asmantara, Sherafiyah, White Widow, Sherafiyah Lewthwaite, Natalie Webb |
| Alma mater | School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London [2] |
| Organization | Al-Shabaab |
| Known for | Terrorism |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4[3] |
Lewthwaite was an alleged member of the Somalia-based radical Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab.[9]
She is believed to have been behind an attack on those watching football in a bar in Mombasa during Euro 2012.[10] In September 2013, it became aware that she is the mastermind behind the Nairobi Westgate shopping mall attack, though many people do not believe this.[11]
She is nicknamed the "White Widow".[12]
References
- ↑ "Lewthwaite, Samantha Louise: Identity Particulars". Wanted List. Interpol. 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.[dead link]
- ↑ "'White Widow' Samantha Lewthwaite wanted by Interpol". CBC News. 26 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015.
- ↑ Pflanz, Mike (17 August 2012). Britons 'were in last stages of plot to bomb Kenya'. p. 15.
- ↑ Pflanz, Mike; Laing, Aislinn; Rayner, Gordon; Whitehead, Tom (24 September 2013). Was the 'white widow' among attackers?. p. 4.
- ↑ Kirby, Terry (15 July 2005). The 'quiet, likeable' man who was the King's Cross bomber. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-quiet-likeable-man-who-was-the-kings-cross-bomber-299288.html. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- ↑ Hough, Andrew (29 February 2012). Samantha Lewthwaite: 7/7 bomber widow previously a 'Home Counties' girl. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/9112824/Samantha-Lewthwaite-77-bomber-widow-previously-a-Home-Counties-girl.html. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ↑ Samantha Lewthwaite: shy schoolgirl to terrorism suspect. 26 September 2013. http://www.smh.com.au/world/samantha-lewthwaite-shy-schoolgirl-to-terrorism-suspect-20130925-2udsn.html. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ↑ White Widow 'has killed 400 people' as key figure in al-Shabaab. 18 May 2015. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/somalia/11611954/White-Widow-has-killed-400-people-as-key-figure-in-al-Shabaab.html. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ↑ Samantha Lewthwaite: Is 'White Widow' behind Kenya mall attack?. 23 September 2013. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/terrorism-security/2013/0923/Samantha-Lewthwaite-Is-White-Widow-behind-Kenya-mall-attack. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ Maguire, Anna (15 March 2013). Banbridge schoolgirl who became linked to radical Islam. p. 3.
- ↑ Nairobi attack: UK woman and Americans 'among militants'. BBC News. 24 September 2013. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24217252. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ↑ Marsden, Sam (25 September 2013). Quiet Home Counties girl who now tops list of terrorism suspects. p. 12.