A New York resident has been convicted of receiving arms training from the Islamic State, a designated terrorist organization. The individual, who was taken to Syria as a teenager by her father, had previously married an ISIS fighter.
Halima Salman, a U.S. citizen, allegedly pledged allegiance to an extremist group and actively participated in its activities. Evidence presented to the jury included a video of her holding an assault rifle, a photograph of her with the group's flag, and text messages she sent to her husband that conveyed affection.
Federal prosecutors have maintained that Salman's involvement with a terrorist organization is now substantiated by today's verdict. The Islamic State's destructive impact on Syria and its global reach have been well-documented, and the office will continue to pursue prosecution of individuals who supported their violent regime.
Salman, now 27 years old, was portrayed by the defense as a young woman who was a victim of circumstance, initially by her father and subsequently by an extremist husband whose directives she felt compelled to follow, amidst the turmoil of the Syrian civil war.
Salman recounted her experiences, stating that she was threatened with death if she attempted to leave her situation, where she was being coerced into marrying at the age of 18.
Salman's mother, who is American by nationality, relocated to Syria with her family at a young age, having originated from the United States.
Following the delivery of the verdict, Salman, his mother, and even his defense team were visibly emotional, with tears evident on their faces. Salman and his mother then shared a poignant moment, embracing each other through the courtroom barrier as they struggled to come to terms with the outcome.
A court has imposed a maximum possible prison term of 10 years on Salman, with a sentencing hearing set to take place on February 2.
The Islamic State, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. government, established a caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014 after seizing significant territory in both countries. Although the group was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later, remnants of the organization remain active, with sleeper cells continuing to carry out deadly attacks in both nations.
“Cadavers everywhere.”
Salman, a native of Brooklyn, was 17 years old when her father embarked on a journey that she initially believed was a family trip to visit relatives in Turkey in 2017. However, the family's vehicle crossed into Syria, where they were intercepted by masked armed men. Salman recounted her experience, stating that she was overwhelmed with fear and confusion, and that she had no knowledge of her father's intentions or their destination.
The witness attributed responsibility for several incidents to his father.
A man who was previously held in an Islamic State-managed facility spent approximately three months in captivity before being reunited with his family. He and his family were forced to relocate twice due to their homes being damaged by airstrikes.
Court records indicate that while she was in the area, she entered into a marriage with Abu Ali, a German-Afghan militant affiliated with the Islamic State.
Throughout her marriage, the woman devoted significant time to completing homework assignments for her husband and his mother. Her father tragically passed away in 2018 after being injured in an airstrike.
Prosecutors challenged Salman's credibility, alleging he had a greater level of influence in Syria than he initially stated. During a counter-interrogation, Salman was prompted to disclose that he had previously sent his husband a religious song referencing Osama bin Laden. Additionally, prosecutors disputed Salman's account of an unhappy marriage, pointing out two text messages that appeared to contradict his claims of marital discord.
