Brooklyn-based Uzbek sentenced to 15 years in prison for aiding ISIS

A citizen of Uzbekistan, a resident of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiracy and attempt to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Lebanon (ISIS) terrorist organization. This is stated on the site. US Department of Justice.

Dilkhayot Kasimov, 34, was found guilty on both counts. The trial took place in September 2019.

In 2015, Kasimov's accomplices Abdurasul Juraboev and Akhror Saidakhmetov planned to go to Syria to fight for ISIS, according to court documents.

Kasimov provided money - his own and collected by others - to pay for Saidakhmetov's travel and expenses. On the evening of February 2015, when Saidakhmetov was scheduled to fly out, Kasimov drove to John F. Kennedy International Airport, met Saidakhmetov at the terminal, and handed him $1600 in cash on his behalf, accomplice Abror Khabibov, and others.

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“Kasimov is an ISIS supporter who collected and gave money to another person to pay for his trip to join a terrorist group. With this verdict, Kasimov is held accountable for his crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen. "The Department of Homeland Security is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who attempt to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations."

"Today's verdict demonstrates the serious implications for those who aid terrorist groups, including by facilitating the travel of others to join ISIS," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement.

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“Providing financial support to potential foreign ISIS fighters carries severe penalties,” said Michael Driscoll of the FBI field office in New York. - As Kasimov found out today, his actions will cost him 15 years behind bars. The FBI continues to work hard to protect Americans at home and abroad and to bring other criminals to justice."

Co-defendants Juraboev and Saidakakhmetov were each sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Azizjon Rakhmatov was sentenced to 12,5 years in prison. Gabibov and Akmal Zakirov are awaiting sentencing. A seventh accomplice, Dilshod Khusanov, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations and is due to be sentenced on July 5.