3 accused in plot vocalized beliefs, authorities say

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Two men arrested on charges of plotting to help the Islamic State group were vocal both online and in person about their commitment and desire to join the extremists, with one speaking of shooting President Barack Obama to “strike fear in the hearts of infidels,” federal authorities said.

The men were among three charged Wednesday with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

Akhror Saidakhmetov, 19, was arrested at Kennedy Airport, where he was attempting to board a flight to Istanbul, with plans to head to Syria, authorities said. Another man, 24-year-old Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev, had a ticket to travel to Istanbul next month and was arrested in Brooklyn, federal prosecutors said. The two were held without bail after a brief court appearance.

A third defendant, Abror Habibov, 30, is accused of helping fund Saidakhmetov’s efforts. He was ordered held without bail in Florida.

If convicted, each faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

On Thursday, Michael Steinbach, the FBI’s assistant director for counterterrorism, told a House committee the case was an example of “what the threat looks like.”

In some cases, individuals pursue an “intellectual curiosity” online that leads them to become radicalized or already are radicalized once they turn to the Internet.

Officials also are encountering those who, like the three charged Wednesday in New York, feel thwarted in their efforts to travel overseas and discuss attacks against the U.S. instead.

“We’re seeing that play more and more often,” Steinbach said.

Authorities said Juraboev first came to the attention of law enforcement in August, when he posted on an Uzbek-language website that propagates the Islamic State ideology.

“Greetings! We too want to pledge our allegiance and commit ourselves while not present there,” he wrote, according to federal authorities. “Is it possible to commit ourselves as dedicated martyrs anyway while here?”

“What I’m saying is, to shoot Obama and then get shot ourselves, will it do? That will strike fear in the hearts of infidels.”

Juraboev was visited by federal law-enforcement officials and told officials he wanted to express support for the Islamic State group. He mentioned Saidakhmetov as a friend and sympathizer, officials said.

Juraboev worked slicing lettuce at a Brooklyn gyro restaurant and earned about $500 a week, said Gyro King owner Zakarya Khan. Juraboev had told his boss that Thursday would be his last day of work because he planned to visit family in his native Uzbekistan, Khan said.