Basit Javed Sheikh is a U.S. legal permanent resident who was arrested in November 2013 while trying to board a plane to Lebanon with the intention of joining al-Nusra Front in Syria.U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of North Carolina, “Individual Charged with Attempt to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” FBI, November 12, 2013, https://www.fbi.gov/charlotte/press-releases/2013/individual-charged-with-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-a-foreign-terrorist-organization. According to the FBI, Sheikh spent five months in 2013 posting messages and videos on Facebook in support of jihadist forces fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in that country’s civil war.Associated Press, “Basit Javed Sheikh, North Carolina Man, Attempted To Join Al-Qaida: Feds,” Huffington Post, November 12, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/basit-javed-sheikh-north-carolina-al-qaida_n_4259493.html.

In August 2013, Sheikh began communicating online with an undercover FBI agent.Associated Press, “Basit Javed Sheikh, North Carolina Man, Attempted To Join Al-Qaida: Feds,” Huffington Post, November 12, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/basit-javed-sheikh-north-carolina-al-qaida_n_4259493.html. Sheikh reportedly met the undercover agent through a Facebook page created by the FBI to find Americans seeking to join militant groups.Anne Blythe, “Judge orders involuntary commitment of Cary man awaiting trial on terror-related charges,” News & Observer, January 7, 2015, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article10214600.html. Sheikh reportedly told the undercover agent he wanted to help al-Nusra Front with “logistics, media, fight too, God willing.”Anne Blythe, “Judge orders involuntary commitment of Cary man awaiting trial on terror-related charges,” News & Observer, January 7, 2015, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article10214600.html. Sheikh allegedly also told the agent that he was ready to be a martyr.U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of North Carolina, “Individual Charged with Attempt to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” FBI, November 12, 2013, https://www.fbi.gov/charlotte/press-releases/2013/individual-charged-with-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-a-foreign-terrorist-organization.

A court-ordered psychiatric evaluation diagnosed Sheikh as schizophrenic.Anne Blythe, “Judge orders involuntary commitment of Cary man awaiting trial on terror-related charges,” News & Observer, January 7, 2015, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article10214600.html. His mother argued that he suffers from anxiety and depression, and Sheikh spent most of his time before his arrest at the computer. In early January 2015, a federal judge ordered Sheikh to be committed for 120 days of psychiatric treatment after Sheikh argued in court that the United States should pay “100 camels worth of monetary compensation” for war deaths in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East. Sheikh reportedly interrupted the judge repeatedly, saying, “I have a right to travel the world. I was leaving this country. What’s your moral rationale for holding me?” He also said he wanted to help “his brothers” in the Middle East.Anne Blythe, “Judge orders involuntary commitment of Cary man awaiting trial on terror-related charges,” News & Observer, January 7, 2015, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article10214600.html.

In June 2015, the same judge ordered Sheikh to receive involuntary medication. Sheikh believed he was in a “fake jail,” the staff was “radiating” him, and the tap water had been altered to make him sick. He also believed people were following him. According to the court report, Sheikh argued, “I am going home and your government is going to apologize to me.” He also said the U.S. government is illegally detaining him because it is “racist against Muslims.”Anne Blythe, “Judge orders involuntary commitment of Cary man awaiting trial on terror-related charges,” News & Observer, January 7, 2015, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article10214600.html.

In October 2015, a federal judge ordered Sheikh to be forcibly injected with anti-psychotic medication in order to be fit to stand trial.Emery P. Dalesio, “Judge orders mentally ill man medicated in terrorism case,” Associated Press, October 14, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/052c9d99e06840b1a04ad0ff2edf35be/judge-orders-mentally-ill-man-medicated-terrorism-case. Sheikh faced up to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, as well as a $250,000 fine if convicted.U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of North Carolina, “Individual Charged with Attempt to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” FBI, November 12, 2013, https://www.fbi.gov/charlotte/press-releases/2013/individual-charged-with-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-a-foreign-terrorist-organization.

On August 22, 2018, Sheikh pleaded guilty in federal court to “attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.”“North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of North Carolina, August 22, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/north-carolina-man-pleads-guilty-providing-material-support-foreign-terrorist. On November 29, 2018, he was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, with credit for the five years he already spent in jail. His sentence includes a lifetime of post-release supervision with mandatory mental health treatment.“Cary man gets prison time for plan to aid terrorists in Syrian civil war,” WRAL Raleigh, November 29, 2018, https://www.wral.com/cary-man-gets-prison-time-for-plan-to-aid-terrorists-in-syrian-civil-war/18028158/. Sheikh was released from prison on November 15, 2019.“Basit Javed Sheikh,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed January 13, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Nicole Mansfield was killed on May 29, 2013, during a confrontation in Idlib, Syria. Mansfield allegedly threw a grenade at Syrian government forces who began shooting at her car, killing all three passengers inside. Mansfield was 33 years old at the time and became the first American woman to be killed in Syria.Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html.

According to conversations she had with family members, Mansfield traveled first to Tunisia and then Turkey before entering Syria.Niraj Warikoo, “From Michigan to a violent death in Syria,” USA Today, June 30, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/30/syria-michigan-woman-killed/2477393/. Activists in the Idlib province said they believed she was working as a lookout or “media coordinator” for a Syrian rebel group.Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html. It is unclear exactly which rebel group Mansfield was associated with, however a Syrian government television station reported she was part of the Nusra Front while another Sunni Islamist group, Ahrar Al-Sham, claimed she was fighting for them.Niraj Warikoo, “From Michigan to a violent death in Syria,” USA Today, June 30, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/30/syria-michigan-woman-killed/2477393/.

Mansfield was brought up as a Baptist in Flint, Michigan.Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html. She became pregnant at the age of 15, dropped out of high school, and earned her GED before attending Mott Community College.Niraj Warikoo, “From Michigan to a violent death in Syria,” USA Today, June 30, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/30/syria-michigan-woman-killed/2477393/. In 2007, Mansfield and her roommate Janice Wilson were working as home health aides when they converted to Islam.Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html. Then 18-year-old Triana Manfield said of her mother, “My mother struggled to make ends meet and we often moved around. I never stayed in one place for long because my mother could never keep up with the bills.”Niraj Warikoo, “From Michigan to a violent death in Syria,” USA Today, June 30, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/30/syria-michigan-woman-killed/2477393/. Mansfield married an Arab immigrant in 2008, but they divorced soon after. Wilson also revealed that Mansfield had traveled to Dubai for a short period of time. She was living with a Muslim family in Detroit before she left for Syria.Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html.

Triana Mansfield posted on her Facebook page, “My mother was NOT a terrorist. She went there for a reason that is unknown.”Jennifer Preston, “Michigan Woman Killed in Syria War, Reports Say,” New York Times, May 31, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/us/syria-fighting-touches-a-family-in-michigan.html. However, Nicole Mansfield’s grandmother Carole Mansfield said that although her granddaughter possessed a “heart of gold,” she was “weak-minded.” Carole Mansfield claimed, “I think [Nicole] could have been brainwashed.”Matt Williams, “Nicole Mansfield ‘just a regular American’, says daughter,” Guardian (London), May 31, 2013, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/31/nicole-lynn-mansfield-syria-killed-brainwashed.

Hanad Abdullahi Mohallim was an American foreign fighter for ISIS who is believed to have died fighting for the terror group in late 2014.Andrea Huncar, “3 ISIS recruits from Edmonton believed killed,” CBC News, January 14, 2015, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/3-isis-recruits-from-edmonton-believed-killed-1.2901146; Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “Called to fight: Minnesota's ISIS recruits,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-isis#hmohallim. In March 2014, then-18-year-old Mohallim flew from Minessota to Turkey, making his way into Syria later that month. In late March, Mohallim confirmed to his family that he was a “border guard” in Syria. He told his family he believed he would be jailed if he returned to the United States.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “From MN suburbs, they set out to join ISIS,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-teens-isis.

A San Diego, California native, Mohallim lived in St. Louis, Minnesota before traveling to Syria. He attended numerous high schools, but never graduated.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “From MN suburbs, they set out to join ISIS,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-teens-isis. He reportedly attended Burnsville High School with Hamza Naj Ahmed, a fellow Minnesotan who attempted to fly to Syria in November 2014 but was apprehended by law enforcement. Ahmed was indicted in February 2015 for conspiring to materially support a foreign terrorist organization.“Hamza Naj Ahmed Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” FBI, February 19, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2015/hamza-naj-ahmed-indicted-for-conspiring-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant.

Mohallim grew increasingly radical on Twitter in the months leading up to his departure. His Twitter photo at one point depicted a young man sporting an Islamic-style headscarf and holding up his pointer finger, a gesture associated with ISIS.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “Called to fight: Minnesota's ISIS recruits,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-isis#hmohallim.

Moner Mohammad Abusalha was the first U.S. citizen to carry out a suicide attack in Syria when he carried out a “martyrdom operation” in late May 2014. He had traveled to the war-torn region in January 2013 to join al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate the Nusra Front.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html.

Abusalha was allegedly associated with Omar Mateen, the perpetrator of the June 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. The two men were believed to attend the same mosque in Fort Pierce, Florida. The FBI interviewed Mateen in 2014 over possible connections to Abusalha, but the case was ultimately closed. According to FBI Director James Comey, “the investigation turned up no ties of any consequence between the two of them.”Associated Press, “FBI: Orlando Gunman Had Strong Indications of Radicalization,” ABC, June 13, 2016, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/fbi-orlando-gunman-strong-indications-radicalization-39820558;
Cassandra Vinograd, “Omar Mateen, U.S. Suicide Bomber Tied to Fort Pierce, Florida,” NBC, June 13, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/omar-mateen-u-s-suicide-bomber-tied-fort-pierce-florida-n590846.

Abusalha grew up in Vero Beach, Florida, with his Palestinian father and American mother. He reportedly enjoyed playing basketball as well as spending time at the local Islamic center.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. A former basketball teammate said, “He was a nice kid, never anything weird. Everyone got along with him. He was just a normal kid.”Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. Abusalha dropped out of Sebastian River High School to enroll in St. James Academy—which allows students to complete coursework at home—and graduated in March 2009. Abusalha then attended a series of different college programs for a brief period of time before moving to Jordan where his father had lined up work for him. He never earned a college degree.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html.

Friends have said they believe he was recruited after he left Florida.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. Leader of the Islamic community center Taher Husainy said, “He all of a sudden disappeared. Then he appeared in Jordan and said he was working at a hospital (as a nurse). After two months or so he disappeared again. Then after six months or something, he sent an email to the parents saying, ‘I’m OK, I’m happy.’”Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. Then-22-year-old Abusalha reportedly spent two months in a training camp and took on the name Abu Huraira al-Amriki before joining the Nusra Front.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. Investigators later discovered he returned to the United States for several months in 2013 before flying back to Syria for a second time.Cynthia McFadden, Pete Williams, and Robert Windrem, “Suicide Bomber From Florida Tried to Recruit Hometown Friends,” NBC News, July 31, 2014, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/suicide-bomber-florida-tried-recruit-hometown-friends-n169881.

On May 25, 2014, Abusalha drove a truck laden with sixteen tons of explosives to a mountaintop restaurant where government forces often gathered.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. A statement posted online by the Nusra Front said Abusalha was one of four suicide bombers sent to carry out an assault on government forces near the city of Ariha in northern Syria.Frances Robles and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “Before Syrian Suicide Blast, a Quiet Life in the Suburbs,” New York Times, May 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/Moner-Mohammad-Abusalha-Vero-Beach-Florida-Syria.html. The Nusra Front released a video he had recorded before his death entitled “The Story of the American Muhajir,” in which he is shown tearing, biting, and burning his American passport.Michael S. Schmidt and Mark Mazzetti, “Suicide Bomber from U.S. Came Home Before Attack,” New York Times, July 30, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/us/suicide-bomber-from-us-came-home-before-attack.html.

H.M. is a Minnesotan man who traveled to Turkey and entered Syria in March 2014. When in Syria, he reported to his family that he was serving as a border guard. While it is unknown which organization he joined, H.M.’s associates in the United States intended to join ISIS. H.M. has not lawfully reentered the U.S. since leaving for Turkey and is believed to still be fighting in Syria. The FBI has only released his initials.“United States of America v. Abdullah Yusuf and Abdi Nur,” District Court of the United States for the District of Minnesota, November 24, 2014, 19-20, http://www.justice.gov/file/179486/download.

Prior to his departure, H.M.’s intentions to travel to Syria were unknown to his family, but three of H.M.’s cousins had traveled to Syria in the past. Later investigation revealed he met with all three before they left the United States.“United States of America v. Abdullah Yusuf and Abdi Nur,” District Court of the United States for the District of Minnesota, November 24, 2014, 19-20, http://www.justice.gov/file/179486/download.

Beyond his relatives, H.M. was connected to a network of foreign fighters within the United States. Investigations of fighters apprehended after H.M.’s departure revealed extensive communication between H.M. and other Somali-American fighters intending to fight in Syria. Additionally, the debit card H.M. used to purchase his tickets to Turkey was also used to purchase tickets for an unnamed Somali-American foreign fighter. In a pattern consistent with the cases of other foreign fighters, money for the tickets was deposited into the bank account associated with card only in the days before the tickets were purchased.“United States of America v. Abdullah Yusuf and Abdi Nur,” District Court of the United States for the District of Minnesota, November 24, 2014, 19-20, http://www.justice.gov/file/179486/download.

Yusuf Jama was a U.S. foreign fighter who is believed to have died in battle while fighting for ISIS in late 2014. Jama was a resident of Minneapolis and graduated from high school in August 2012. According to prosecutors, Jama had attempted to join ISIS once before in May 2014 but he and his friend Guled Ali Omar were discouraged from leaving the United States by Omar’s family.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “Called to fight: Minnesota’s ISIS recruits,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-isis#yjama. Jama successfully managed to leave the United States for Turkey on June 9, 2014.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “Called to fight: Minnesota’s ISIS recruits,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-isis#yjama.

Jama was one of a significant proportion of U.S. foreign fighters to have emerged from the state of Minnesota.Mike Durkin, “Minnesota responsible for 15 of 58 American ISIS recruits,” Fox 9 News, September 29, 2015, http://www.fox9.com/news/26238851-story.

Neil Prakash, also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, is a U.S.- and U.N.-designated Australian recruiter and facilitator for ISIS.“Treasury Designates Australian and Southeast Asian ISIL Operatives and Leaders,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 10, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0698.aspx;
“Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 Listing 2015 (No. 2),” United Nations via Commonwealth of Australia, June 4, 2015, https://www.dropbox.com/s/knbydc3mjwihlka/C2015G00866%20-%20Charter%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20Act%201945%20Listing%202015%20(No.%202).pdf?dl=0. He was erroneously reported killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq in April 2016.David Wroe, “Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash killed by US strike in Iraq,” Sydney Morning Herald, May 5, 2016, http://www.smh.com.au/national/islamic-state-recruiter-neil-prakash-killed-by-us-strike-in-iraq-20160504-gomjgh.html. In November 2016, he was arrested in Turkey after leaving ISIS-controlled territory the month prior.Chiara Palazzo, “Australia's most wanted jihadist Neil Prakash arrested in the Middle East,” Telegraph (London), November 25, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/25/australias-wanted-jihadist-neil-prakash-arrested-middle-east/;
Charles Miranda, “Australian ISIS recruiter Neil Prakash ‘survived’ air strike, was ‘wounded’ and has since been ‘arrested,’” News.com.au, November 26, 2016, http://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/australian-isis-recruiter-neil-prakash-survived-air-strike-was-wounded-and-has-since-been-arrested/news-story/5822f8bab2aaa2737b7a754b70d3de34. The Turkish government rejected Australia’s extradition request and a Turkish court sentenced Prakash to seven-and-a-half years in prison in March 2019.Eric Tlozek, “Australian Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash sentenced to jail in Turkey,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 15, 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-16/neil-prakash-sentenced-to-jail-in-turkey/10907510. He has admitted to being an ISIS member, but denied any link to ISIS activity in Australia.Australian Associated Press, “Australian ISIS fighter Neil Prakash’s extradition decision deferred until May,” The Guardian, February 20, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/21/australian-isis-fighter-neil-prakashs-extradition-decision-deferred-until-may; Australian Associated Press, “Neil Prakash tells Turkish court he has no links to Islamic State in Australia,” The Guardian, December 27, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/27/neil-prakash-tells-turkish-court-he-has-no-links-to-islamic-state-in-australia. Prakash was released in February 2022 but remained in detention in Turkey as Australia refused to take custody of him.Padraig Collins, “Australian ISIS terrorist is released from jail and thrown in immigration detention while Turkey figures out where to deport him to - but NO country will take him,” Daily Mail (London), February 27, 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10556601/Australian-ISIS-terrorist-jail-immigration-detention-no-country-wants-him.html.

Following Prakash’s arrest, some Australian media outlets suggested that ISIS had sent Prakash to Turkey in order to fight for the terror group there. The reports alleged that Prakash had led an English-speaking cell of engineers that was developing drones for use in attacks.News Corp Australia, “Australian terrorist Neil Prakash plotting remote drone attack,” Daily Telegraph (Surry Hills), December 15, 2016, http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/australian-terrorist-neil-prakash-plotting-remote-drone-attack/news-story/6312cdb2f5937a5a528671ff7b93b4d4. However, other Australian outlets later said that Prakash traveled to Turkey in order to escape ISIS’s crackdown on members who wanted to leave ahead of an offensive by Iraqi and Kurdish forces.Mark Schliebs, “Terrorist recruiter Neil Prakash did dash as IS noose tightened,” Australian (Sydney), January 3, 2017, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/terrorist-recruiter-neil-prakash-did-dash-as-is-noose-tightened/news-story/b78909455fc1ca5300ad91c9b4dcdeef/.

Turkey charged Prakash with “being a member of, and acting on behalf of an armed terrorist organization.”Burcak Belli, “‘Sorry’ terror suspect Neil Prakash says Islamic State lied to him about Islam,” Sydney Morning Herald, September 28, 2017, https://www.smh.com.au/national/sorry-terror-suspect-neil-prakash-says-is-lied-to-him-about-islam-20170928-gyqz91.html. Prakash issued an apology during a September 2017 appearance in a Turkish court. He took partial responsibility for radicalizing others but claimed ISIS had lied to him. Prakash told the court he had been new to Islam when he joined ISIS and the terror group had mislead him. Prakash apologized for the “trouble I have caused the world.”Burcak Belli, “‘Sorry’ terror suspect Neil Prakash says Islamic State lied to him about Islam,” Sydney Morning Herald, September 28, 2017, https://www.smh.com.au/national/sorry-terror-suspect-neil-prakash-says-is-lied-to-him-about-islam-20170928-gyqz91.html. Turkey rejected an Australian extradition request for Prakash in July 2018. Australia revoked Prakash’s citizenship that December.“Neil Prakash: Australian jihadist stripped of citizenship,” BBC News, December 29, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-46706710. The Australian government based its decision on the belief Prakash would not be left stateless because he held citizenship in Fiji through his Fijian father. Fiji denied Prakash had citizenship in January 2019, but the Australian government insisted on its interpretation.Helen Davidson and Amy Remeikis, “Neil Prakash ‘not a Fiji citizen’: Dutton move to strip Australian citizenship in doubt,” Guardian (London), January 2, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/02/neil-prakash-not-a-fiji-citizen-dutton-move-to-strip-australian-citizenship-in-doubt. On March 15, 2019, the criminal court in Kilis, Turkey, convicted Prakash of belonging to a terror group and sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years in prison. Prakash’s lawyer indicated they would appeal for a reduced sentence based on Prakash’s show of remorse.Eric Tlozek, “Australian Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash sentenced to jail in Turkey,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 15, 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-16/neil-prakash-sentenced-to-jail-in-turkey/10907510. In July 2019, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry argued that Prakash’s Australian citizenship should be reinstated because he would be more dangerous abroad than if he were imprisoned in Australia.Mark Schliebs, “A free Prakash will threaten Australia,” The Australian (New South Wales), July 1, 2019, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/a-free-prakash-will-threaten-australia/news-story/1b13d56298cd2bfa11b4d6c3a0ee569d.

Prakash was imprisoned in Gaziantep, Turkey. At some point in 2021, he was transferred to a prison in Diyarbakir, Turkey, where he was registered as an Australian citizen. Given time already served, Prakash became eligible for parole at the end of 2021. In February 2022, based on time already served, authorities released Prakash and transferred him to an immigration detention center in Elbeyli as Australia and Fiji still refused to take custody.Ellen Whinnett, “Australian born Islamic State terrorist Neil Prakash released from jail in Turkey,” Herald Sun (Victoria), February 27, 2022, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/crimeinfocus/australian-born-islamic-state-terrorist-neil-prakash-released-from-jail-in-turkey/news-story/126cec516eef3d6a9e667e518dd3a583. While in Syria, Prakash allegedly married two women. Reportedly, Turkish authorities are investigating whether Prakash can be transferred to the home country of one of his wives.Padraig Collins, “Australian ISIS terrorist is released from jail and thrown in immigration detention while Turkey figures out where to deport him to - but NO country will take him,” Daily Mail (London), February 27, 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10556601/Australian-ISIS-terrorist-jail-immigration-detention-no-country-wants-him.html.

The Australian-born Prakash is the son of a Fijian father and a Cambodian mother. As of 2012, he was a practicing Buddhist but claimed to believe in a singular god. That year, Prakash made his first visit to Cambodia and reportedly found the Cambodian stream of Buddhism confusing. He abandoned Buddhism upon his return to Australia and sought to convert to Islam. Prakash converted at a local mosque where he also met Bosnian extremist Harun Mehicevic. Mehicevic and others radicalized Prakash during the latter’s visits to Melbourne’s Al Furqan Islamic Centre and bookshop. In 2013, Prakash traveled via Malaysia to Raqqa, Syria, which he referred to as “the land of jihad.”“Neil Prakash: The confused Buddhist who became a top IS jihadist,” BBC News, November 25, 2016, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38103439. Upon his arrival, Prakash met an ISIS fighter who furthered his Islamic education.“Neil Prakash: The confused Buddhist who became a top IS jihadist,” BBC News, November 25, 2016, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38103439. Prakash went on to become a prolific online propagandist for ISIS.

CEP long tracked Prakash on various online platforms as he has worked to recruit Muslims to ISIS-held territory and incite them to violence domestically. Although some companies made an intermittent effort to ban Prakash from their platforms, Prakash was resilient in maintaining his online presence. In August 2015, Australian counter-terrorism authorities issued a warrant for Prakash’s arrest, and scheduled Prakash to be placed on Interpol’s wanted list.Carly Crawford, “Warrant issued for Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash,” Herald Sun (Victoria), August 19, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/warrant-issued-for-islamic-state-recruiter-neil-prakash/story-fni0fiyv-1227490609495. The day after the arrest warrant was issued, Prakash’s @AbuK313 Twitter account was suspended, but he began posting under the handle @FatherOfKhalid. From ISIS-held territory, Prakash stands accused of directing the alleged April 25, 2015, Anzac Day plot, in which a group of Australians are accused of plotting domestic terror attacks on the day commemorating fallen soldiers in World War II.Lizzie Dearden, “Anzac Day terror plot: Five teenagers arrested in Australia for ‘planning Isis-inspired attack,’” Independent (London), April 18, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/anzac-day-terror-plot-five-teenagers-arrested-in-australia-for-planning-isisinspired-attack-10186419.html.

Prakash’s Twitter profile in September 2015. The account description references “Migration Matters,” presumably referring to migration to ISIS-held territory. The account also references his linked account on Surespot (a private messaging service), and Askbook (an interactive social media site). Prakash listed two Surespot accounts that a viewer could message if that viewer was interested in “migration.” These accounts consisted of his own Surespot account and one associated with the British ISIS recruiter Raphael Hostey.

On August 30, 2015, Prakash tweeted a message inciting Muslims to violence against “kuffar,” a pejorative term for non-Muslims.

Prakash was active under the Twitter handle @FatherOfKhalid in August 2015. Two days after this tweet was posted, Australian authorities issued an arrest warrant for Prakash.

In order to recruit and propagandize for ISIS, Prakash long maintained a presence on Twitter, as well as on Q&A social media platform Askbook. Supplementing his public image, Prakash directed viewers on these platforms to his private messaging account for one-on-one discussion.Abuk, Askbook post, July 8, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59923179; Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59823039; Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59822883. He also directed viewers to the accounts of his ISIS recruiter cohorts, which have included deceased British recruiter for ISIS Raphael Hostey (Abu Qaqa),Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59822661. Nasser Muthana, and Abu Dujana.Abu Khaled the Australian, Twitter post, June 10, 2015, 2:01 p.m., https://twitter.com/Ak47zNeedLove/status/608695540247883776. Like Prakash, the other recruiters in Prakash’s network used a combination of social media and private messaging accounts in order to attract—and ultimately bring—foreigners to ISIS-held territory.

Prakash publicizes the account of fellow ISIS fighter Nasser Muthana.

Prakash touts his role as a facilitator who works to bring recruits to ISIS-held territory.

Prakash fields answers about the migration process to ISIS territory, and encourages recruits to contact him through encrypted messaging services.

Prakash employed a variety of tools to entice recruits online. These included answering questions about his supposed daily life,Abuk, Askbook, accessed July 8, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus. propagating extremist and violent interpretations of religious texts,Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59810457. and even flirting with female recruits.Abuk, Askbook post, July 3, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59837776; Abuk, Askbook post, July 8, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59917803. In response to the question, “Are you taken?” for example, Prakash replied coyly that “Allah allows us to have up to 4 wives.”Abuk, Askbook post, July 3, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59837776.

Prakash engages with potential ISIS recruits, July 2015.

For logistical questions regarding the migration process to ISIS-held territory, Prakash asked viewers to contact him or his cohorts via private messaging services.Abuk, Askbook post, July 8, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59923179; Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59823039; Abuk, Askbook post, July 2, 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/59822883. These messaging services included Surespot, Telegram, Wickr, and Jitsi, among others.Abuk, Askbook post, July 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/60074403;
Abuk, Askbook post, August 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/60102790;
Abuk, Asbook post, August 2015, http://ask-book.com/ak47zRus/answer/60426475.

In addition to recruiting via social media, Prakash served as a public face for the group, appearing in the ISIS video, “Stories from the Land of the Living: the Story of Abu Khaled al-Cambodi from Australia.” In the video, Prakash discussed his conversion process from Buddhism to Islam, and his hijrah (migration) process from Australia to ISIS territory.“New Islamic State video: The story of Abu Khaled Al-Cambodi from Australia,” LiveLeak, accessed July 8, 2015, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6b5_1429653638. He also called on Muslims, particularly in Australia, to either join ISIS or execute domestic attacks.“New Islamic State video: The story of Abu Khaled Al-Cambodi from Australia,” LiveLeak, accessed July 8, 2015, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6b5_1429653638. In September 2015, Australian ­intelligence officials said that they were “highly confident” that Prakash was being targeted for assassination by the U.S. military.Paul Maley, “Islamic State: Aussie jihadist Neil Prakash on US hit list,” Australian, September 2, 2015, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/terror/aussie-jihadist-neil-prakash-on-us-hit-list/news-story/95aa4dcbf651d374ff7629df33b42159. In May 2015, ISIS published a guidebook naming Prakash as one of the group’s top recruiters and facilitators.“Australian listed in Isis guidebook as go-to man for recruits,” Guardian(London), May 7, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/07/australian-listed-in-isis-guidebook-as-go-to-man-for-recruits; “Australian listed in Isis guidebook as go-to man for recruits,” Guardian (London), May 7, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/07/australian-listed-in-isis-guidebook-as-go-to-man-for-recruits. Prakash, however, said he was just a foot soldier, “I was just a normal soldier, I had nothing to with leadership or anything.”Farid Farid, “Islamic State leader Neil Prakash says he was ‘just a normal soldier,’” The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24, 2018, https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/islamic-state-leader-neil-prakash-says-he-was-just-a-normal-soldier-20180524-p4zhc8.html.

Nasser Ahmed Muthana, known in jihadist circles as Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni, is a British propagandist, recruiter, facilitator, and foreign fighter for ISIS and an internationally designated terrorist. Muthana often encourages fellow Muslims to make hijrah (migration) to ISIS-held territory,Abul-Muthanna Yemeni, Twitter post, June 29, 2015, 8:09 a.m., https://twitter.com/mistyvt_the/status/615492325398192129. and has directed viewers to his private messaging account on Surespot.Abul-Muthanna Yemeni, Twitter post, June 29, 2015, 7:13 a.m., https://twitter.com/mistyvt_the/status/615478067348271104. He has also published incendiary and violent messages threatening the lives of kuffar (nonbelievers). In 2014, Muthana appeared in an ISIS video in which he propagandized for the group and told viewers that its fighters “will even go to [fight in] Jordan and Lebanon with no problems, wherever our sheikh [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi] wants to send us.”“Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni from Britain - ISIS ‘No Life Without Jihad’ Video,” LiveLeak, accessed July 8, 2015, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6a5_1403639105#u4qsCO6H0hJxZMlb.99.

Muthana has issued veiled threats toward the United Kingdom, once posting a picture of homemade bombs to Twitter writing, “So the UK is afraid I come back with the skills I've gained.”“Jihadist Nasser Muthana's Home-Made Bomb Pictures,” BBC News, July 3, 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-28140639. Muthana has turned overtly hostile toward his home country, openly celebrating the deaths of his compatriots:

Muthana was part of a network of English-speaking recruiters and facilitators. On Twitter, U.K.-born recruiter Raphael Hostey (a.k.a. Abu Qaqa) called Muthana “a beloved brother” who has “been here since I entered Syria.”Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 5, 2015, 3:39 a.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/606726996111048704. Neil Prakash (a.k.a. Abu Khaled al-Cambodi) also referenced Muthana, and touted Muthana’s violent history.Abu Khaled the Australian, June 3, 2015, 6:13 a.m., https://twitter.com/Ak47zNeedLove/status/606041016861343744.

Before joining ISIS, Muthana had been on track to study medicine, and had received offers to study at four U.K. universities. He was last seen in the United Kingdom in November 2013.Tom Whitehead, Claire Duffin, Philip Sherwell and Richard Spencer, “Iraq crisis: British student identified as recruiting Isis jihadists,” Telegraph (London), June 20, 2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10916124/Iraq-crisis-British-student-identified-as-recruiting-Isis-jihadists.html. That month, the 20-year-old Muthana traveled from London to Istanbul to Syria. He called his family three days after leaving Cardiff to tell them he had arrived in Syria. In February 2014, Muthana’s 17-year-old brother, Aseel, followed him to Syria.Thomas Deacon, “‘My sons left home to become terrorists and I don’t know if they’re alive or dead,’” Wales Online, March 31, 2019, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/my-sons-left-home-become-16028202. The brothers’ father, Ahmed Muthana, told British media that he believed his sons radicalized after someone gave them the first-person shooter videogame Call of Duty. The elder Muthana blamed whoever purchased the game for them for also encouraging them to go to Syria.Mia De Graaf, “British brothers fighting for Isis in Syria were groomed by extremists using Call of Duty, claims their father,” Daily Mail (London), July 30, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2710478/British-brothers-fighting-Isis-Syria-groomed-extremists-using-Call-Duty-claims-father.html. A member of Nasser Muthana’s mosque claimed he had been radicalized online.Liam Moffett, “Welsh muslim in a terror-recruiting video was radicalised online, says Cardiff mosque leader,” Wales Online, June 21, 2014, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-muslim-nasser-muthana-terror-recruiting-7305385?pageNumber=2.

In June 2014, Nasser Muthana appeared alongside fellow Cardiff foreign fighter Reyaad Khan in an ISIS propaganda video called “There Is No Life Without Jihad.” In it, Muthana boasted that ISIS will “come back and we will even go to Jordan and Lebanon with no problems, wherever our sheikh [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi] wants to send us.”“Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni from Britain - ISIS ‘No Life Without Jihad’ Video,” LiveLeak, accessed July 8, 2015, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6a5_1403639105#u4qsCO6H0hJxZMlb.99; “Cardiff Jihadist ‘willing to die’ for Isis fight in Syria,” BBC News, July 2, 2014, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-28116575. In November 2014, Muthana was reportedly identified standing alongside British ISIS executioner Mohammed Emwazi, a.k.a. Jihadi John, in an ISIS video featuring the severed head of aid worker Peter Kassig. The Times of London later used facial recognition software to determine that Muthana had not appeared in the video.Jay Akbar, “British ISIS fighter who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jihadi John in gruesome execution video has been 'killed in battle,’” Daily Mail (London), May 6, 2015, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3070654/ISIS-fighter-stood-shoulder-shoulder-Jihadi-John-gruesome-execution-video-killed-battle.html; “Father ‘spots’ son in IS beheading video,” IOL, November 17, 2014, https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/father-spots-son-in-is-beheading-video-1781737; John Hall and Peter Allen, “Find Jihadi John's execution squad: Massive manhunt for international ISIS assassins as notorious BELGIAN is discovered among killers and family of French scooter salesman speak of their horror,” Daily Mail (London), November 18, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2839065/Find-Jihadi-John-s-execution-squad-Massive-manhunt-international-ISIS-assassins-intensifies-family-French-scooter-salesman-converted-Catholicism-speak-horror.html. Rumors of Muthana’s death circulated British media in May 2015 after the Daily Mail identified him as the ISIS militant Ikrima al-Nomani, who had been killed fighting in Syria that month. Muthana’s family and the British counter-extremism thinktank Quilliam Foundation denied the reports.Ruth Mosalski, “Claims Cardiff jihadi Nasser Muthana has been killed fighting for IS in Syria are ‘categorically untrue,’” Wales Online, May 7, 2015, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/reports-cardiff-jihadist-nasser-muthana-9199678; Jay Akbar, “British ISIS fighter who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jihadi John in gruesome execution video has been ‘killed in battle,’” Daily Mail (London), May 6, 2015, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3070654/ISIS-fighter-stood-shoulder-shoulder-Jihadi-John-gruesome-execution-video-killed-battle.html.

Because of their English and Arabic language skills, the Muthana brothers worked as translators between Arabic and Western ISIS fighters. According to his father, Nasser Muthana married a Bangladeshi woman who had also left England. Muthana reportedly told his father that ISIS had forced both him and his brother to marry and move into houses in Raqqa, then ISIS’s declared capital. Nasser Muthana and his wife had two sons. Aseel Muthana married a Somalian woman from Glasgow, Scotland.Thomas Deacon, “‘My sons left home to become terrorists and I don’t know if they’re alive or dead,’” Wales Online, March 31, 2019, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/my-sons-left-home-become-16028202.

In March 2015, the United Kingdom designated Nasser Muthana under its Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (“TAFA 2010”).“Operation of the UK’s Counter-Terrorist Asset Freezing Regime: 1 September 2014 to 31 December 2014,” HM Treasury, March 2, 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/411231/2014Q4-WMS.pdf. On September 28, 2015, the United Nations added Muthana to its Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals.“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Four Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, September 28, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12059.doc.htm.

Nasser Muthana continued to call his parents regularly while in Syria to update them. According to their father, ISIS treated the brothers poorly and they regretted leaving England. In approximately 2017, Muthana stopped calling after informing his parents he was in Raqqa. As of March 2019, Ahmed Muthana had not heard from his sons in two years.Thomas Deacon, “‘My sons left home to become terrorists and I don’t know if they’re alive or dead,’” Wales Online, March 31, 2019, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/my-sons-left-home-become-16028202. Aseel Muthana appeared in an October 2019 ITV News report on a Syrian prison camp holding ISIS fighters. The younger Muthana told British media that he had traveled to Syria before the brutality of ISIS was widely known and wanted to return home. He did not mention whether Nasser Muthana was still alive.Tim Stickings, “Inside a filthy Syrian prison camp where thousands of orange-jumpsuited ISIS extremists - including British jihadists - are locked up after the ‘caliphate’ fell to pieces,” Daily Mail (London), October 3, 2019, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7532865/Inside-filthy-Syrian-prison-camp-ISIS-fighters-kept.html; “Aseel Muthana: Imprisoned Cardiff jihadist wants to return,” BBC News, November 15, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-50433354. The Independent reported in December 2019 that Nasser Muthana had died in a 2015 airstrike, but this could have been a reference to the misidentification of Muthanna as Ikrima al-Nomani as Muthanna’s parents recalled speaking with their son after 2015.Ruth Mosalski, “Claims Cardiff jihadi Nasser Muthana has been killed fighting for IS in Syria are ‘categorically untrue,’” Wales Online, May 7, 2015, https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/reports-cardiff-jihadist-nasser-muthana-9199678; Richard Hall, “There’s no way back for British Isis prisoners languishing in a Syrian jail,” Independent (London), December 18, 2019, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-british-fighters-syria-baghdadi-aseel-muthana-ishak-mostefaoui-a9251391.html.

Nader Saadeh is an American ISIS supporter who allegedly attempted to join the terrorist group in the spring of 2015. He flew to Jordan on May 5, 2015, with the intention of meeting his brother, Alaa Saadeh, and Samuel Rahamin Topaz in Turkey to cross over into ISIS-held territory.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. Jordanian authorities detained him and he soon returned to the United States.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download. The FBI arrested Saadeh in New Jersey on August 10, 2015.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. He originally plednot guilty but later, in December 2015, agreed to a plea bargain. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.“New Jersey Man Charged With Plotting To Support ISIS Militants,” CBS News, August 10, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/08/10/nj-terror-plot-charge/;
Jaimie Julia Winters, “Rutherford resident admits to conspiring with ISIS,” NorthJersey.com, December 10, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/2.4225/rutherford-resident-admits-to-conspiring-with-isis-1.1471871.

Saadeh and his brother Alaa are dual citizens of the United States and Jordan.According to Saaedh’s criminal complaint, his parents were deported from the United States for criminal convictions, though the year is not specified. As of April 2015, the Saadehs’ father lived in Oman and their mother lived in Jordan. Following their parents’ deportation, the Saadeh boys lived with a person identified in the complaint as “Individual 1.” This person informed the FBI in April 2015 of the Saadehs’ plan to join ISIS.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.

Beginning in late 2014, Saadeh allegedly grew more radical and deepened his religious observance. He dyed his beard red with henna—a custom demonstrating piety—and began wearing traditional Islamic clothes. During this time Saadeh allegedly converted Topaz to Islam.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.

Saadeh allegedly “justified” the Charlie Hebdo attack and ISIS’s immolation of Muath al-Kaseasbeh, a Jordanian air force pilot captured by the terror group.U.S. Department of Justice, “Former New Jersey Resident Charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, August 10, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/former-new-jersey-resident-charged-with-conspiracy-and-attempt-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. He began referring to ISIS as his Muslim brothers and professed ISIS-controlled territory was a state. He insisted ISIS had never committed any human-rights violations and was the only group fighting for “freedom.”

Saadeh allegedly believes other governments have been influenced into opposing ISIS through government and media propaganda.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.

Nader Elhuzayel is a California resident and U.S. citizen who was convicted in June 2016 on terrorism-related and bank fraud charges. Elhuzayel had conspired with Muhanad Badawi to join ISIS abroad.“United States of America v. Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi,” U.S. District Court Central District of California, May 22, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/441231/download;
Richard Winton, “Two O.C. men convicted of conspiring to fight with the Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-islamic-state-convicted-20160621-snap-story.html.

According to federal prosecutors, Elhuzayel and Badawi had used Twitter and Facebook to discuss plans to join ISIS. Elhuzayel was arrested in May 2015 at Los Angeles International Airport while apparently preparing to board a flight to Turkey.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. To finance the flight, Elhuzayel had deposited stolen checks into personal checking accounts in three different banks, according to prosecutors. He then withdrew the money at bank offices and ATMs in and around Orange County, California.Richard Winton, “Two O.C. men convicted of conspiring to fight with the Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-islamic-state-convicted-20160621-snap-story.html. Elhuzayel’s co-conspirator Muhanad Badawi had purchased Elhuzayel’s ticket. He was arrested the same day at a gas station in Anaheim, California.

Elhuzayel’s parents are Palestinian immigrants who reportedly believed their son was traveling to the West Bank to visit family after a layover in Turkey.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. In an interview with the FBI, Elhuzayel admitted that he intended to cross into ISIS-held territory once inside Turkey.“Two California Men Arrested on Charges of Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 22, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-california-men-arrested-charges-conspiring-provide-material-support-isil. Speaking to the Orange County Register, Elhuzayel’s father, Salem, called his son’s Tweets “nonsensical talk” and said that somebody “must be speaking” on his son’s behalf.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. Elhuzayel’s mother, Falak, told California media that her son bought a one-way ticket because he didn’t know how long he would stay in the West Bank.Joel Rubin and Joseph Serna, “O.C. men plead not guilty to plotting to fight for Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-men-islamic-state-20150608-story.html. The Elhuzayel family lives in a motel in Anaheim, California, having been evicted from their home in 2013 after they declared bankruptcy.Joel Rubin and Joseph Serna, “O.C. men plead not guilty to plotting to fight for Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-men-islamic-state-20150608-story.html;
Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html.

Elhuzayel and Badawi reportedly met in 2012 while Elhuzayel attended general education classes at Cypress College.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. According to press reports, Elhuzayel hoped to earn a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, and worked as an occasional landscaper. He had completed a medical billing program at American Career College.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. The two began attending the West Coast Islamic Society in Anaheim, California, in late 2014. According to the mosque’s leadership, Elhuzayel and Badawi did not often associate with other members.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. Elhuzayel’s mother, Falak, described Elhuzayel as “Muslim, but not very religious.”Joel Rubin and Joseph Serna, “O.C. men plead not guilty to plotting to fight for Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-men-islamic-state-20150608-story.html.

Elhuzayel used the ISIS flag as his profile picture on Facebook, where he had posted about his desire to join the supposed fight against non-Muslims.Richard Winton, “Two O.C. men convicted of conspiring to fight with the Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-islamic-state-convicted-20160621-snap-story.html. Elhuzayel also reportedly used the online dating website OKCupid and began a relationship with a woman in the Palestinian territories who also supported ISIS.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. According to the criminal complaint filed against him, Elhuzayel and the woman in question talked daily and had made plans to marry. “United States of America v. Nader Elhuzayel and MuhanadBadawi,” U.S. District Court Central District of California, May 22, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/441231/download.

Elhuzayel pled not guilty to charges leveled against him, despite waiving his Miranda rights upon arrest and admitting his plan to join ISIS in interviews with the FBI.Alyssa Duranty, Scott Schwebke, and Theresa Walker, “2 Anaheim men suspected of supporting ISIS appear in court, face 15 years in prison if convicted,” Orange County Register, May 22, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/force-662727-task-terrorism.html. A federal jury in California convicted Elhuzayel and Badawi of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS on June 21, 2016. Elhuzayel was also convicted of 26 counts of bank fraud.Richard Winton, “Two O.C. men convicted of conspiring to fight with the Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-islamic-state-convicted-20160621-snap-story.html.

Elhuzayel faces up to 15 years in prison for the material support charge and up to 30 years for each count of bank fraud.Richard Winton, “Two O.C. men convicted of conspiring to fight with the Islamic State,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oc-islamic-state-convicted-20160621-snap-story.html.