Prairie State Wire

A Chicago man has been found guilty in federal court for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The conviction follows the use of social media platforms by the accused to encourage attacks on ISIS's adversaries and recruit new members for the organization.

Ashraf Al Safoo, a leader within Khattab Media Foundation, was involved in creating and distributing pro-ISIS propaganda online. This foundation, known for its allegiance to ISIS, engaged in posting videos, articles, essays, and infographics that promoted violent jihad. Al Safoo was noted for encouraging members to disseminate pro-ISIS content to instill fear among non-believers and incite violence.

The propaganda shared by Khattab Media Foundation often depicted violent imagery, celebrated terrorist acts, and advocated for "lone wolf" attacks in Western nations.

Al Safoo, aged 41 at the time of his arrest in Chicago in 2018, faced a bench trial in U.S. District Court where Judge John Robert Blakey delivered the verdicts. He was convicted on multiple counts including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to transmit threats across state lines. The charges also included accessing protected computers without authorization. In total, these convictions could result in a maximum sentence of 130 years imprisonment with sentencing scheduled for October 9, 2025.

The announcement of these convictions came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; John A. Eisenberg from the Department of Justice; and Douglas S. DePodesta from the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Wells, Barry Jonas, Thomas P. Peabody from Illinois' Northern District along with Trial Attorney Andrew J. Dixon from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

U.S. Attorney Boutros emphasized that "the safety and security of the American public is always a top priority," highlighting the dedication of prosecutors and law enforcement officials in preventing such threats before they manifest.

FBI Chicago SAC DePodesta reiterated their commitment to safeguarding citizens against those aligned with terrorist organizations or promoting violent extremism through diligent investigation and disruption efforts led by the FBI Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force.