Arafa Hussein Abdi, 41, a US citizen from Minnesota, was charged with supporting ISIS after military training at a terror camp in Somalia, according to the Department of Justice.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew J. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division: “As stated in the complaint, Mr. Abdi left his country to join ISIS, trained as a fighter and actively assisted in the group’s propaganda efforts to spread its vile ideology. “
US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York added: “As alleged, Arafa Hussein Abdi, a citizen of this country, traveled from Minnesota to join a group of ISIS fighters in Somalia. While training with ISIS fighters in Somalia, Abdi allegedly carried an AK-47 rifle, threatened to attack civilians in New York City, and encouraged others to carry out such attacks. Our law enforcement partners have relentlessly pursued this investigation to ensure that Abdi's alleged plans to wage terrorism on our shores are disrupted and that Abdi is brought before a US court to face justice. No matter how long it takes, this office is steadfast in its commitment to investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting terrorist threats against Americans.
“Abdi allegedly trained at an ISIS camp, encouraged others to fight on behalf of ISIS, and sent messages on social media about committing acts of violence in New York City,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. The FBI works tirelessly to protect the American people from acts of terrorism and will hold accountable anyone who violates our laws and puts our citizens in danger. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to detect and disrupt terrorist activity.”
According to the complaint, Abdi moved from Minnesota to Somalia in 2015 and joined a group of ISIS fighters at an ISIS training camp.
Abdi shared the news of his joining ISIS on social media, noting that he had made the “migration,” an Arabic term used by ISIS supporters who travel abroad to join ISIS and engage in jihad.
Abdi also posted an audio clip of rap lyrics around 2017 in which he expressed support for ISIS and described multiple acts of violence, including shootings and bombing individuals in New York City.
According to version:
Abdi is charged with: (1) conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (2) providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison; (3) Conspiracy to receive military training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison; and (4) receiving military training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which is punishable by a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
