Former Biotech Researcher Charged In Federal Obstruction Case

CAMBRIDGE, MA — A former Cambridge biotechnology researcher was charged with obstruction of justice after federal officials said he lied about his reason for purchasing castor beans, which contain the deadly toxin ricin.

Ishtiaq Ali Saaem allegedly purchased 100 packets of the beans in 2015, prompting authorities to question him in early July 2015. Officials say Saaem told them that he had meant to order one packet to decorate his apartment. The court documents allege that Saaem—who lived in in Massachusetts in 2015 and 2016 — visited web pages that had articles about lethal poisons and how to make poison at home after talking to authorities.

Saaem spoke with feds again in July of 2019, where he said that he had meant to purchase just one packet because he liked the color, the court document says. He was contacted in August 2019 about a subpoena to appear before a federal court in Boston, court documents say. Saaem met with officials again in January 2020, and feds say he reiterated that the beans were for decorative purposes only. Officials are alleging that he purchased the beans with the intent to extract ricin.

A news release from U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Mendell’s office says the charge could carry up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $250,000 in fines.

Patch has reached out to Saaem’s attorney, and will provide updates.