Chicago man convicted in ISIS terror case after attempting to recruit members on social media and encourage assaults | EUROtoday

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An Iraqi-born Chicago man arrested in 2018 was convicted Friday for utilizing social media to recruit members for ISIS and encourage violent jihad.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Ashraf Al Safoo, 41, led the Khattab Media Foundation, a web-based group aligned with ISIS, which unfold pro-ISIS propaganda, together with movies, articles, and infographics, to incite terror and recruit employees.

This included a graphic picture of a headless Santa Claus with the caption “The Khilafahs presents are on their way,” ABC 7 Chicago reports. Other materials showed armed terrorists, planned attacks on Christmas celebrations, and a time bomb hidden inside a gift box.

He was found guilty of 10 felony charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and transmitting threats across state lines. Al Safoo now faces up to 130 years in prison.

In 2018, Al Safoo was arrested at his North Virginia Avenue home, where he was the lead writer of extremist content and urged followers to “Participate in the war. Spread fear,” per authorities.

“Today’s conviction demonstrates that the protection and safety of the American public is at all times a high precedence for me and my total Office,” US Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a statement on Friday.

“The prosecution of Ashraf Al Safoo is a testomony to the vigilance and dedication of our prosecutors and regulation enforcement companions who stand watch to disrupt and forestall harmful threats earlier than they materialize. We will vigorously pursue and produce to justice those that present materials help – in no matter kind – to terrorist organizations,” Boutros concluded.

Al Safoo told his followers to ‘spread fear’

Al Safoo told his followers to ‘spread fear’ (Office of Public Affairs)

​​According to the criminal complaint, Al Safoo worked as a web developer at Chicago-based BlueBolt Solutions since 2013, specializing in Microsoft technologies, ABC 7 Chicago reports.

His LinkedIn profile reportedly claimed that he earned a bachelor’s degree from Al-Hussein Bin Talal University in Jordan in 2006, followed by a master’s degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2007.

Al Safoo could face up to 130 years in prison.

Al Safoo could face up to 130 years in prison. (AFP through Getty Images)

Investigators stated Al Safoo was born in Mosul, Iraq, and have become a naturalized U.S. citizen after transferring to the United States in September 2008.

His sentencing is ready for October 9. Al Safoo stays incarcerated on the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/chicago-man-isis-terror-arrest-b2778804.html