An Iraqi man suspected of killing two police officers while acting as the leader of an al-Qaeda group in the Iraqi city of Fallujah was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, federal officials said on Friday.

Ali Yousif Ahmed Al-Nouri, who is wanted in his native Iraq for the 2006 premeditated murder of the police officers, is awaiting extradition, the US Attorney’s Office District of Arizona said in a statement.

The 42-year-old was taken into custody in Phoenix on Thursday prior to appearing before a federal magistrate judge the following day.

Baghdad accused Al-Nouri of leading an al-Qaeda group in Fallujah which had planned operations targeting police officers in the country, though the allegations against him have yet to be proven in court.

Read more: Timeline: A history of US-Iraq relations since the 2003 war

The statement fell short off providing details of Al-Nouri’s movements, including when he had entered the United States.

Iraq’s extradition request would have to be certified certified by the US court and the US Secretary of State before any further action is taken to send Al-Nouri to Baghdad.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay connected