Many years ago, my late father, God Bless His Soul, had an idea in Pennsylvania to buy old buildings no one wanted and try to fix them up for low-income renters. The idea was necessary and worthy. But not every property was necessary and worthy. He would have me accompany him on some property visits. One time I went with him to such a place, which he thought was a good idea, and I did not. Then as I was walking into this building, my foot went through the floor. Looking up at him, and pulling myself up so I didn’t fall the rest of the way through the floor, I convinced him that this was a not a good decision. Sometimes we need to wake up on bad decisions. We need wisdom as much as we need stubbornness. We have to have the courage to walk away from bad decisions, and to change our minds and paths.
When your foot goes through the floor, that is a warning sign and time for you to wake up. The answer is not to put a rug over it and pretend the problem isn’t there. Sometimes you have to realize not all decisions are good decisions. You can’t always make every bad decision work, and you have to have the courage to change.
But that is where American Counterterrorism is today. It has become so caught up in tactics and maneuvers that it literally is losing the plot on the real objectives of safety for our society. It never has fully grasped that tactics, without a strategy in a war of ideas, are simply stalling tactics, while effective for a while, will eventually be shown as totally blighted as long-term practices. This is not always readily evident, until we see warning signs of the blight and decrepitness. We will go along thinking the outside of the building and maybe the inside looks fine, just until our foot goes through the floor.
One of the decrepit practices in American Counterterrorism is the belief that we can have endless lengthy investigations of extremists – for year after year – in hopes that we will snare other “extremists” along the way, like a “patient fisherman.” Or like these are just any other type of criminal. But what the tacticians miss is that terrorists and extremists are not harmless fish, nor are they “typical criminals.” Terrorists and extremists are in the practice of death and destruction. Terrorists and extremists are not simply misunderstood youth and adults – they actively promote ideologies which seek the destruction of our shared human rights and lives. This is not a game.
For example, the arrest this week of Nicholas Young, a Washington DC Metro subway police officer, based on his support of the ISIS terrorist movement, was after six long years of investigation. During all of that time, he was a Metro Subway Police Officer. Now we have all been “reassured” that the public on the subway system was not in danger from this ISIS terrorist movement supporter, and that he was being “watched.” But allowing terrorist suspects and extremist aligned with terrorist causes to be members of our police, law enforcement, or any other vital public service – where the very lives of masses of the public are dependent – is a simply irresponsible decision.
Now that some members of Congress are asking logical and sane questions about such a reckless practice, some believe that this is simply a “political concern,” and only an issue for Republicans. As a long time user of the WMATA subway system mass transit, I can assure the public that a very diverse set of Americans and human beings travel on the Washington DC subway system of every economic standing, race, religion, gender, ethnic group, and of course, political views.
Playing dice with the public subway riders’ lives for six years was simply an unconscionable decision. It is astounding how little outrage we have seen, but this is largely affected by the political nature of the Establishment media, who believe that this dramatic public safety issue needs to be filtered by what is appropriate for their current political narrative. This week’s arrest should be the number one story in the nation. Instead, the corruption of our establishment media has allowed it to become buried as a local after-thought, important only to some local Washington DC news media – and then just for a moment. This is why our media cannot and will not be a force any type of consistent advocate on public safety issues, human rights, and issues that require contextual consideration. The challenge of extremist terrorism requires a more consistent public focus than what we see today.
Federal law enforcement will also tell you that the necessities of American law force them to create a vast and complex investigation for domestic terrorist suspects to find a law that will result in a compelling conviction. There are very few actual laws to deal with domestic terrorist threats, and this forces federal law enforcement to find some weapons charge, or find an unquestionable link to a specific illegal foreign terrorist organization, with a well documented support by the suspect.
Certainly we need rigorous investigations to ensure that the public is not unfairly persecuted. But the idea that a police officer can be supporting violent extremism for all of these years, and for years, actively supporting the ISIS terrorist movement, while still having a police authority in a vulnerable area like mass transit, should be the red warning flag to wake up a torpid counterrorism community.
Unquestionably, the first place we need to start is with new LAWS. We must challenge the righteous members of Congress who are astounded by this recklessness, to work to develop laws that allow for prosecution of domestic terrorists who work with and support groups of violent extremism. We cannot let such lack of legal authority drag on forever. There has to be a line at which conspiracy to work with domestic terrorists to plan acts of terror on American soil is a crime. Our law enforcement needs such clear cut authority with the federal criminal code.
But at the same time, our counterterrorism community needs to be shaken up, and roused from their slumber on the shared actual goal (and human right) of safety, while they are sleepwalking in misguided dreams that endless tactics will stop terrorist attacks. If Nicholas Young had actually committed a terrorist attack, while a member of the Metro Police force, in addition to any horrific tragedy in the loss of life and/or injury, the consequences in the violation of trust and public willingness to respect law enforcement would have been devastatingly destructive.
America needs a counterterrorism community that realizes it cannot play with the lives, safety, and trust in our law enforcement community, by endless tactic on tactic, while risking the very lives of those they have sworn to protect and represent.
Today, our counterterrorism community’s actions and failure to act are providing the basis for the next 9/11 Commission Report. To those who never read it, the warning signs were there, too many in our representative government simply did not have the will and the actual concern to do something about the warning signs. We don’t need another 9/11 Commission Report of the future to tell us where we have gone wrong, because we can clearly see it with our own eyes today.
When your foot goes through the floor, it is time to wake up and realize that you must change your path.
On May 2, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice reported on the arrest of James Gonzalo Medina, 40, of Hollywood, Florida, who was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against a person or property within the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332a(a)(2). If convicted, Medina faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. James Gonzalo Medina was arrested Friday night as he walked toward the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center synagogue in Hollywood, Florida, with what he thought was an explosive device in his hand, prosecutors said. The accused terrorist was part of an FBI sting operation with a “fake” bomb.
The accused terrorist was inspired by the ISIS terrorist movement, and sought to further the terrorist movement’s cause by his planned terrorist attack to inspire Muslims to commit other attacks. His goal was to have the television news media broadcast a story of an attack associated with “ISIS in America.” This once again demonstrates the de-centralized appeal of the ISIS terrorist movement, and its inspiration to individual radicalized extremists.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that “[t]he arrest was the culmination of an undercover operation during which Medina was closely monitored by the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The explosive device that he allegedly sought and attempted to use had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public.”
In the Criminal Complaint Case Number 16-MJ-02562-WCT filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, David Clancy, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided an affidavit regarding James Gonzalo Medina’s terrorist intentions in attacking the Florida Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center synagogue. The criminal complaint clarifies the intentions of the accused terrorist, who sought to attack the synagogue because he believed he would kill numerous Jewish worshipers during a Jewish holiday period.
James Gonzalo Medina also sought to affiliate the terrorist act with the ISIS terrorist movement, to show his solidarity with the extremist cause. He indicated that he sought to use this ISIS-inspired terrorist attack to “go nationwide and inspire other Muslims to attack as well.” The accused terrorist felt that such a bombing of a Jewish synagogue in America “would give hope and light to other Muslims in America.” The accused terrorist felt that the terrorist bombing would inspire other terrorist attacks in Washington, DC, California, and other places around the world. According to the affidavit, he stated: “I wanna see it go worldwide with now all the Muslims realizing you know, when it’s our time… Next thing you know it will be in California, Washington, and the brothers are saying you know, it’s our time now.”
In the FBI affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, James Gonzalo Medina stated that he wanted the bombing of the Jewish synagogue to “make it look like it is ISIS in America.” The affidavit states that: “MEDINA felt the news of this attack conducted in this manner would go nationwide and inspire other Muslims to attack as well.” The FBI affidavit also describes meetings of an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) with two of accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina’s associates “TI” and “BH,” which jointly sought to “stake out” the synagogue in planning for a terrorist bombing attack on it. The FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) tried to discourage them “MEDINA is suicidal, he’s not a Muslim,” but the terrorist’s associates insisted on pursuing the plot to bomb the Florida Jewish synagogue.
The FBI affidavit reports that originally the accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina planned to attack the Florida Jewish synagogue worshipers using an automatic rifle. The affidavit states: “Given that one of [accused terrorist] MEDINA’s associates had informed the CHS [Confidential Human Source] that MEDINA was planning to martyr himself in a firearms attack on the synagogue, the CHS sought to gather further details of the operation. MEDINA confirmed his desire to conduct the attack using AK-47 assault rifles.”
Furthermore, the FBI affidavit describes the ideological basis for the extremists’ terrorist plot. The affidavit states: “The CHS [Confidential Human Source] initially met with [accused terrorist] MEDINA alone. Over lunch, MEDINA described his conversion to Islam which occurred approximately four years ago. MEDINA explained some of his religious philosophies that form the basis for his current hatred for Jewish people made reference to a conversation he/she had with [terrorist associate] TI regarding a synagogue in Aventura.” MEDINA explained that if he would conduct an attack he would want to do it at a synagogue because Jewish people are the ones causing the world’s wars and conflicts. The CHS disclosed that TI had explained that MEDINA desire to become a martyr in the attack but the CHS offered the alternative of the CHS assisting to facilitate MEDINA’S escape. MEDINA further explained that attacking one synagogue would give hope and light to other Muslims in America.”
The FBI affidavit also stated “When the CHS explained that there was a Jewish holiday in a few weeks, MEDINA responded by saying that it would be a good time to bomb them. When the CHS questioned how realistic it was for him to be able to undertake an attack MEDINA explained that ‘this is how we were talking, cause you know TI has those AK-47s and that was our mission to use that at the synagogue, on using his weapons.’ The CHS explained to MEDINA how TI’s weapons could be traced and told him he had a contact who could get them untraceable weapons. MEDINA further explained that the ‘plot that he and BH had discussed allowed them to ‘strike back to the Jews, by going to a synagogue and just spraying everybody…’cause we’re Muslims you know what I mean? It’s a war man and it’s like it’s time to strike back here in America.’ MEDINA then stated that he wanted to go inside to kill people while the others shot people as they were fleeing the scene.”
The FBI affidavit further states: “On April 13, 2016, the CHS again met with MEDINA. The two traveled to a fast food restaurant and then to a local park to eat their food. MEDINA spent the majority of the meeting describing the ‘movies’ he creates using the Internet. While discussing when the attack should occur, MEDINA stated, ‘I’m ready whenever you’re ready. . .I’m down for this. This is, I’ve already got all my life already set.’ The conversation then turned toward the details of the attack, and the CHS addressed the concerns of entering the synagogue with firearms and then getting shot and instead proposed leaving an unspecified object behind and leaving the scene. MEDINA then replied, ‘[L]ike drop a bomb and just leave it and then it pop, just pop that b*tch and we out.’ The CHS talked about a timer for the bomb and MEDINA liked the idea and described nearby locations from where the bomb could be detonated, stating ‘[a]nd then we inside the Mall and sh*t and just pop it from like.. .see like, see that like, them red lights over there? Them three lights over there, like way out there?” This was a reference to the local shopping mall and reference to the stoplights down the road. The CHS then described how a cellular telephone could serve to detonate the bomb, and asked MEDINA whether he would like that. MEDINA laughingly responded, ‘I would, I think that would be interesting.’ ”
The FBI affidavit also stated: “After some unrelated conversation, MEDINA reintroduced the idea of the attack. He asked the CHS if he ‘felt’ what he was saying. MEDINA continued, ‘Because right now man, I’m up for it. I really am. I wanna get away with it. But I wanna, I wanna see it make the news and everybody.’ MEDINA then commented that the news coverage could galvanize Muslims to worldwide action: ‘I wanna see it go worldwide with now all the Muslims realizing you know, when it’s our time… Next thing you know it will be in California, Washington, and the brothers are saying you know, it’s our time now.’ MEDINA then discussed placing the bomb in the parking lot of the synagogue, and added, ‘[W]e can just lay one out there and then bomb it later… I’d like to put it like, as close ms possible, to the door.’ MEDINA also expressed a concern for concealing his lacks and proposed ‘to run in and out real quick like if you just park the car, I’m gonna just go in there real quick.’ The CHS and MEDINA then discussed a proposal from the CHS to hide the bomb under a large jacket and then leave the bomb in one of the synagogue’s bathroom. Regardless of these operational details, MEDINA expressed his desire to cause harm: ‘I mean though, whatever, whatever it is, it’s just gonna go off. I wanna see damage happen to their ass. l wanna see something man.’ The CHS and MEDINA then concluded the meeting by agreeing to meet on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The CHS offered to call the purported explosives associate and MEDINA agreed, stating ‘Let’s see if we can set up some kind detonate man.'”
Other parts of the FBI’s affidavit further described the desire of the accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina to murder others, his hatred for Jewish people, and his desire to inspire Muslims to commit terrorist acts.
The affidavit states: “MEDINA envisioned a terrorist operation that would inflict maximum casualties, commenting ‘Cause, uh, I’m sure this is gonna be hammered. All these people gonna die.'”
The affidavit states: “On April 20, 2016, the CHS and an FBI employee operating in an undercover capacity (‘UCE’) met with MEDINA in the UCE’S vehicle. The UCE was posing as the acquaintance of the CHS who was an associate with explosives expertise and access. While driving to get something to eat MEDINA told a story about a Jewish woman he had met earlier who had given him a ride. A discussion had ensued regarding her fear of Muslims once she realized MEDINA was a Muslim and her thoughts that MEDINA might kill her. Thereafter, MEDINA remarked to the UCE and the CHS that he had told her, ‘[Y]ou know, we’re, we’re just getting bombed for no reason, and it was time to get out. But it made me just think more that, you know, it just, when she said that you will kill me, I’m thinking yeah man, I want to. You know what I mean? I really do…'”
The affidavit states: “Later, while in the car with the UCE, MEDINA reaffirmed his desire to commit the synagogue attack. The UCE sought to test MEDINA’s interest in the bombing and cautioned him that he did not have to go through with it. The UCE asked, ‘Why do you wanna do this?’ MEDINA responded, ‘Because I realize that I have a lot of love for Allah. And I know that all these, all these wars that are going on, it hurts me, too. You know? It’s my call of duty. I gotta get back, when I’m doing this, I feel that l’m doing it for a good cause for Allah.'”
The affidavit stated: “MEDINA’s comments prompted the UCE to ask another question about his motivation, ‘What message are you sending?’ The UCE wanted to know more about MEDINA’s purpose in attacking the synagogue, including what claim of responsibility would be made. . MEDINA answered that ‘I’m gonna call that it’s ISIS in America.’ ”
The affidavit stated: “After MEDINA described the attack plan, the UCE for a fourth time sought to question him about his resolve, ‘You’re sure this is something you want to do man?’ MEDINA responded, ‘I feel like it’s my calling.’ The UCE pressed MEDINA further, ‘Well I don’t want you to be crazy. You’re gonna have to go into this with both eyes open. You understand what I’m saying?’ MEDINA responded that it is Allah’s will and that he’s not crazy and reckless to the point where he would get the UCE arrested: ‘No I’m not like that.’ The UCE cautioned MEDINA one more time that once you do this. there’s no going back.” MEDINA reiterated his plan to personally deposit the bomb, and after it detonated, enjoy watching the news coverage of the attack: ‘That we, they, whatever they’re sayin’, that they’re being bombed and all of that. . . and knowing that it was from us. And just getting’ a joy that I’m doing this you know, I did it. It worked out. And whatever happens. it’s for the glory of Allah.’ MEDINA further explained his hope to credit ‘ISIS’ for the attack: ‘I do wanna like leave a notice that ISIS is like you know, here. If there’s somehow we can just like leave a printer or something or something that’s saying that, so at least they, they can show it on Television look they’re leaving this that ISIS is here. You know?”
The affidavit stated: “After another lengthy explanation of the attack plan. in which MEDINA would exit the car and place the bomb near the synagogue door, the UCE once again explained the seriousness of what MEDINA was planning: ‘Now you know there’s gonna be women and kids and everything else in that place.’ MEDINA at first seemed to interpret the UCE’s comments as a risk to himself: ‘And that’s the thing I gotta play it right where we’re not gonna be you know, being seen. it’s just a drop off.’ But the UCE further pressed MEDINA on his willingness to kill innocent people: ‘No, I understand that but when you put a bomb in a place like this, are you okay, you’ve made peace with Allah that you’re fine with killing women and children and everything else.’ The following exchange then took place:”
“JM : I think so. I think I’m fine. Um hmmm
UCE: You need to be sure brother.
JM : I am pretty sure. I think so. I believe so. I’m ready bro!
UCE: Ok. Cause you know you don’t have to do any of this.
JM: What do you mean doing it?
UCE: No, you don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable with it.
JM : What? I’m ready.
UCE: It’s Allah’s will but you know …
JM : I’m up for it. I really am. This is no joke. I’m serious dog. If I have the equipment, believe me, in the time is, is that day and we doin’ it, I’m up for it bro. Just like I said. I mean, if I go inside and drop it off, that’s gon, that’s gonna be risky. You know .
UCE: Yeah, yeah.
JM : I think it’s better that I just, we just pull up to the car, put it like on the side, in the un, under, in the front and then just get back in an leave. And that’s it. That car’s gonna blow up. And that’s gonna blow the one beside it and one and everybody inside, it’s gonna cause chaos.”
The affidavit stated: “On April 21, 2016, MEDINA, the UCE, and the CHS again met and MEDINA provided the UCE with a laptop-style computer bag to conceal the device and offered his cellular telephone for use in the device to trigger the detonation. The group discussed many of the same topics from the prior meeting to include whether MEDINA was comfortable with killing innocent women and children. MEDINA did not waiver and stated that he was ready. When asked to re-sketch the target location, MEDINA did so during the meeting, highlighting important mission-critical items, such as camera locations, entry and exit points, parking lots, and access roads. MEDINA provided the UCE with a leaflet he had created for copying that contained a photo of the ‘ISIS’ flag and the words ‘ISIS in America.’ Ultimately, MEDINA and the UCE decided that the attack would take place on Friday, April 29, 2016.”
The affidavit stated: “Prior to his meeting with the UCE, MEDINA made three videos on the CHS’ cellular telephone. In one, he stated: ‘I am a Muslim and I don’t like what is going on in this world. I’m going to handle business here in America. Aventure watch your back. ISIS is in the house.’ In another, he stated: ‘Today is gonna be a day where Muslims attack America. I’m going to set a bomb in Aventura.’ In the third, he said his goodbyes to his family.”
The accused terrorist, James Gonzalo Medina, was arrested by federal authorities on April 29, 2016. No one was injured.
Regarding the associates of the accused terrorist, the affidavit stated: “After the arrest of MEDINA, BH and TI were approached by agents. They each were cooperative and agreed to be interviewed. Each stated that they had heard MEDINA discuss his plans to conduct an attack. However, neither BH nor TI intended to participate with MEDINA.”
The following link provides an Adobe PDF file of the affidavit for Criminal Complaint Case Number 16-MJ-02562-WCT .
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) reject all extremist violence and acts of terrorism as an attack on our shared Universal Human Rights for all people in every part of the world.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has learned that the extremists supporting the ISIS terrorist organization have a strategy to promote and incite further anti-government activism and violence in the United States of America.
The ISIS extremists are pleased and excited by the “mobilization of anti-government rebels” in Oregon and elsewhere, and is urging the ISIS “Baqiya Family” to use social media to incite more attacks on the U.S. government. The ISIS terrorist supporters are pleased to have the Bundy terrorist group and their supporters do their work for them to undermine U.S. government authority and take over government facilities. ISIS supporters have been following the Anti-Government terrorist activities and gunmen throughout Oregon (ولاية أوريغون) by the Bundy and other Anti-Government extremists and terrorists.
The ISIS terrorist group seeks an opportunity to manipulate these Anti-Government extremists to damage and commit terrorist acts against the United States to further ISIS’s goals. The calls for such ISIS manipulation by ISIS terrorists was issued by ISIS supporter called: “Abu Adriatic Irhabi (@AbuAdriatic). الإرهابي. Baghdad, Iraq,” whose Twitter account is now suspended.
Typically the ISIS terrorist supporting “Baqiya Family” uses Twitter and other social media to further their campaigns of terrorism against the United States, the West, and the rest of the non-ISIS world. Now, ISIS supporters want to use that social media infrastructure and experience in creating false names and accounts on Twitter and social media to further incite the anti-government extremist movement, to encourage more attacks on U.S. Government facilities, inspired by the “success” of the Bundy terrorist group takeover over refuge facilities in Oregon.
The ISIS terrorist supporters seek their members to incite other “rebels through social media by posing as everyday Americans supporting their cause.” They are seeking to urge further hatred and violence against the American government in Oregon and other parts of the nation, and hope to incite further anti-government extremists to “degrade and destroy their corrupt, evil, and oppressive government, or at least severely damage its operations.” The ISIS terrorist supporters are hoping that “a mass mobilization of anti-government rebels could occur. These rebels are trained in military experience and are trained in warfare.”
The ISIS terrorist supporters seek to use social media to manipulate Anti-Government extremist to commit specific terrorist attacks on U.S. infrastructure, stating: “Give them ideas for warfare, strategies, tactics.” “Suggest targets for them.” “Focus on economic, infrastructure, and government institution targets.”
The SITE Intelligence Group referenced transcript of the Baqiya Family call to use the Anti-Government extremist and terrorist activities also calls for ISIS supporters to infiltrate their ranks through racism, as well hoping to exploit racial divisions and anti-diversity sentiment among Anti-Government extremists to help in infiltrating into their ranks.
Transcript of ISIS Terrorist Supporter Seeking to Manipulate Anti-Government Extremists to Promote Attacks on America (Courtesy: SITE Intelligence Group) – Ethnic Slur Have Been Blacked Out
In a national media report by the Washington Post, information provided in research on ISIS extremist site by the SITE Intelligence Group (frequently referenced by R.E.A.L.) was shared with the national public in a news report: “Islamic State tries to use Oregon takeover to turn Americans against their government.” In this report, it states a “Twitter posting addressed to members of the Islamic State community describes the ongoing occupation by armed rancher Ammon Bundy and his fellow activists as a “key opportunity,” and suggests that Islamists should do what they can to help them. It urges sympathizers of the organization also known as ISIS and ISIL to encourage the Oregon protesters-using messages sent from accounts with American-sounding names-and to suggest more targets for future take-overs. ‘A mass mobilization of anti-government rebels could occur,’ said the message, posted to the account of a self-identified Iraqi supporter of ISIS who calls himself Abu Adriatic Irhabi. ‘These rebels have military experience and are trained in warfare. They may be able to degrade and destroy their corrupt, evil, and oppressive government, or at the least severely damage its operations.’ ”
As part of a study on such extremist supporters of ISIS on behalf of the University of Waterloo in Canada, Amarnah Amarasingammay provides an explanation of the “Baqiya Family” and what it means to the social media connected supporters of the ISIS terrorist group and their ideology.
“I interview current and former fighters, the friends and family of these jihadist volunteers, and members of the close-knit transnational virtual community of Islamic State supporters. They call themselves the ‘baqiya family.’ Baqiya means enduring, and is often used as a war cry by members of the Islamic State.”
“The baqiya family is a deeply connected group of youth who find a sense of community and kinship online, particularly on Twitter. As one member of this family told me, ‘One of the prerequisites to be baqiya is to have your Twitter account suspended.’ You further indicate your loyalty to the family by supporting and reposting new Twitter accounts of individuals who are coming back from suspension. Surprisingly, the baqiya family is not exclusive to supporters of the Islamic State. Jabhat al-Nusra supporters are also welcome and the debates are vibrant. ”
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) remains fully committed to rejecting all terrorist threats and attacks on the Universal Human Rights of all of our fellow human beings, including Americans. In the United States of America, the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” [28 C.F.R. Section 0.85 (1) ].
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
We recognize those who reject human rights, who reject equality, who reject any “justice” which is equal to all, will gravitate to extremists that hate governments, identity groups, and seek to use force to impose their will on others. As we do with all extremists, we must consistently defy and reject such agents of hate, inequality, violence, and terrorism. We must continue to be Responsible for Equality And Liberty – for all.
On January 7, 2015, Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, a Palestinian born in Iraq, who came to the United States of America reportedly as a refugee, was arrested in Houston, Texas and charged with three counts of material support to the ISIS terrorist organization. His indictment states that Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan entered the United States as a refugee on or about November 2, 2009. It states that he lied on his naturalization form about his associations with terrorist groups, and he also received machine gun training as part of travels with terror groups.
R.E.A.L. also has a report on Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab arrested in Sacramento, California on a related case.
A separate Houston News Channel 2 television report states: “Channel 2 Investigates obtained the city of Houston limousine driver’s permit that Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan obtained in 2014. It lists him as a ‘legal resident.'” Channel 2 also reported “Other arrests were made in Milwaukee in a separate but connected case, Channel 2 has learned. The Houston arrest is part of a federal terrorism-related investigation. Al Hardan is expected to face three federal charges, including providing support to terrorists.” “KPRC reported Thursday evening that the Texas suspect has lived in Houston for several years and was in contact with people in Milwaukee and Sacramento. The case involved plotting to get people currently in the United States moved overseas, specifically the Middle East.”
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, a Palestinian born in Iraq, has been charged in a three-count indictment alleging that he attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Division and Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Moskowitz of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Houston made the announcement.
The three-count indictment was returned on Jan. 6, 2016, and was unsealed today. He will have his initial appearance tomorrow at 10:00 a.m CST in Houston.
Al Hardan entered the United States as an Iraqi refugee on or about Nov. 2, 2009. He was granted legal permanent residence status on or about Aug. 22, 2011, and resides in Houston.
He is charged with one count each of attempting to provide material support to ISIL, procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully and making false statements.
The indictment alleges that Al Hardan attempted to provide material support and resources, including training, expert advice and assistance, and personnel – specifically himself – to a known foreign terrorist organization. According to the allegations, he also knowingly responded, certified and swore untruthfully on his formal application when applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. He allegedly represented that he was not associated with a terrorist organization when, in fact, he associated with members and sympathizers of ISIL throughout 2014, according to the charges. The indictment further alleges that during an interview in October 2015, Al Hardan falsely represented that he had never received any type of weapons training, when he allegedly received automatic machine gun training.
The charge of attempting to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The charge of false citizenship procurement carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison (if the offense was committed to facilitate an act of international terrorism). The charge of making false statements carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. If convicted, any potential sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal history, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and HSI with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Trial Attorney Kashyap Patel of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section is prosecuting the case along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ralph Imperato of the Southern District of Texas.
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice reports, on December 31, 2015, that a New York supporter of the ISIS terrorist organization has been arrested and charged with a plot to commit a terrorist attack in Rochester, New York, at a local restaurant. The man was identified as 25 year-old Emanuel L. Lutchman. He expressed a desire to kill “1000000s of kuffar.”
American ISIS: Emanuel Lutchman Arrested and Charged with ISIS Terrorist Group SupportExcerpt from Criminal Complaint Against ISIS Terrorist Group Supporter Emmanuel Latchman
Excerpt from Criminal Complaint Against ISIS Terrorist Group Supporter Emmanuel Latchman
According to the criminal complaint, Emanuel Lutchman began corresponding with an FBI informant in November and made numerous statements expressing his support for ISIS and his desire to join the group in Syria. Late this month, he allegedly told the informant he had been in contact with someone who identified himself as an ISIS member in Syria, and that he relayed his personal “hatred for everything in America” and his intention to join the group overseas, according to the complaint.
The criminal complaint states: “Lutchman, claiming to have received direction from an overseas ISIL member, attempted to commit an armed attack against a civilian(s) at a restaurant/bar located in the Rochester area on New Year’s Even on behalf of ISIL and in furtherance of his plan to join ISIL overseas.
The complaint also states that “The Overseas Individual told Lutchman that all he has to do is plan an ‘operation’ on New Year’s or whenever he (Lutchman) can, and kill ‘1000000s of kuffar.’ The Overseas Individual emphasized that Lutchman is ‘behind enemy lines’ and that he (Lutchman) was the closest person to their most hated enemy (meaning the United States).”
Emanuel L. Lutchman, 25, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. of the Western District of New York and Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen of the Federal Investigation Bureau’s (FBI) Buffalo Division.
“According to the complaint, as part of Emanuel Lutchman’s attempt to provide material support to ISIL, he planned to kill innocent civilians on New Year’s Eve in the name of the terrorist organization.” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “Thankfully, law enforcement was able to intervene and thwart Lutchman’s deadly plans.”
“This New Year’s Eve prosecution underscores the threat of ISIL even in upstate New York but demonstrates our determination to immediately stop any who would cause harm in its name,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “What began as an ISIL directive to harm the community ended with the arrest of this defendant and a message for any other individuals considering similar behavior – you will be caught, you will be prosecuted, and you will be punished. While law enforcement is well equipped for such investigations, the public is reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. I assure members of the public that the excellent work of our law enforcement partners with the cooperation of the public is the best way to ensure the safety of our community.”
“The FBI thwarted Emanuel Lutchman’s intent to kill civilians on New Year’s Eve,” said Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “The FBI remains concerned about people overseas who use the Internet to inspire people in the United States to commit acts of violence where they live.”
According to court records, the defendant, claiming to receive direction from an overseas ISIL member, planned to commit an armed attack against civilians at a restaurant/bar located in the Rochester, New York, area today, New Year’s Eve on behalf of ISIL and in furtherance of his plan to join ISIL overseas.
The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson of the U.S. Western District of New York.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey with the assistance of Trial Attorney Lawrence Schneider of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
December 22, 2015 – update – at a court hearing, an FBI Special Agent Daniel Higgins testified that American ISIS terrorist Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame, had been bragging of plans to shoot down airplanes at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport with rocket-propelled grenades. Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame had previously worked at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport as a baggage handler, working with a company handling jet fuel, and working with a company that de-ices planes. U.S. Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson ruled at the hearing that there is sufficient probable cause to support the charges, and that Warsame should not be released from jail. The case will now go to a grand jury for an indictment. The background investigation into American ISIS terrorist Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame found nothing that disqualified him from getting a security badge to work at an American airport.
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) News also reported that “[a]n airport spokesman confirmed to MPR News that Warsame worked there for several months starting in December 2013. He first worked for a company that de-ices planes, Integrated Deicing Services, and then got a job for Swissport, a company that handles fuel. Airport officials said they screen job applicants against federal databases, and there was nothing in Warsame’s background to deny granting him a security badge.”
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On December 10, 2015, a 10th American ISIS terrorist, Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame was arrested, as part of the Minnesota gang of American ISIS terrorist group. According to the criminal complaint, Warsame was at one point the leader of a group of young, Somali-American from the Minnesota Twin Cities area, who tried to flee the country in April to aid the ISIS terrorist group. He was urged to rob the U.S. government to finance his efforts. He becomes the 16th known recent American ISIS terrorist recruit from the Minnesota area.
Minnesota – American ISIS Terrorist Abdirizak Mohamed WarsameOthers in American ISIS Minnesota Terrorist Network
Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame, 20, of Eagan, Minnesota, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger of the District of Minnesota and Special Agent in Charge Richard T. Thornton of the FBI’s Minneapolis Division.
“Abdirizak Warsame conspired with others to travel to Syria to fight with ISIL,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “Counterterrorism is the National Security Division’s highest priority, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of foreign fighters abroad and to bring to justice those who seek to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.”
“This defendant is the 10th Twin Cities’ man charged as part of a broad conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “The FBI and prosecutors in my office continue to work without pause to keep Minnesotans safe and bring these defendants to justice.”
According to the complaint and documents filed in court, in spring 2014, Warsame and his co-conspirators began meeting to watch propaganda videos that glorified religious violence and to discuss their aspirations to travel to Syria to join ISIL. Members of the group, including Warsame, discussed ways to leave the United States and travel to Syria, despite the fact that law enforcement was intensely scrutinizing the group. At one such meeting, Guled Omar was elected “emir,” or leader, of the group. Later in 2014, when Omar was planning to depart for Syria, Omar appointed Warsame to replace him as emir for the remaining co-conspirators.
According to the complaint and documents filed in court, during the same period, Warsame provided $200 to a co-conspirator, Adnan Farah, so that Farah could obtain an expedited U.S. passport to travel overseas to join ISIL. Warsame also applied for an expedited passport during this time, but his application was initially denied.
According to the complaint and documents filed in court, Warsame repeatedly attempted to obtain a telephone number or other contact information of ISIL members, including ISIL member H.K. In June 2014, Warsame specifically attempted to obtain this contact information so that he could pass it along to Y.J., who was attempting to travel from Turkey to Syria to join ISIL.
According to the complaint and documents filed in court, in April 2015, Warsame actively encouraged Omar and other co-conspirators to travel to Syria through Mexico, but did not plan to join their group because he was planning to travel with his family to East Africa. From East Africa, Warsame planned to either break free from his family and travel to Syria, or wait in Somalia for a time when, he believed, al-Shabaab would pledge allegiance to ISIL, thus expanding ISIL to Somalia.
According to the criminal complaint and documents filed in court, on April 2, 2015, Warsame recounted a conversation he had with Abdi Nur, before Nur left the United States for Syria. In that exchange, Warsame told Omar that he proposed to Nur that they rob people in order to finance their travel to Syria, which Nur rejected and suggested instead that they rob the government.
The terrorist group ISIS has reportedly targeted a government employee with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the Washington D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland, according to an NBC News report.
NBC News 4 reports: “News4 has obtained federal law enforcement records showing the FBI investigated the case and warned the employee of the threat. Security was increased for the worker and no known connection to ISIS was revealed, according to police reports. The employee was advised to notify internal agency police about her ‘arrivals and departures from (the) NIST campus,’ according to law enforcement records.”
NBC News 4 states: “The NIST campus is heavily secured, with police checkpoints guarding entrances. Tall fences and video surveillance surround the perimeter. Public access is restricted.
Multiple purported ISIS hit lists have surfaced online in recent months, one of which included more than 1,400 names. In another instance, members of the military were named. ‘We have followed FBI protocols in addressing this situation and have shared the relevant and important security information with all parties involved,’ a NIST spokeswoman said. ‘As always, the safety and protection of our employees are essential to NIST and the Department of Commerce.’ The police reports reviewed by News4 specify the NIST employee has no ties to ISIS.”
The Washington D.C. area has been regularly threatened by the ISIS terrorist organization.
On behalf of the people of Washington D.C. and its suburbs, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) states to the ISIS terrorist organization that we are not afraid.
Washington D.C. was once burned down by British tyrants, and it was attacked by Al Qaeda terrorists. Washington D.C. was the target of nuclear annihilation by the tyrants of the Communist U.S.S.R. Washington D.C. has been the target of lunatics, extremists, and criminals for centuries. We do not expect this to change. Whatever comes its way, the capital and people of the United States of America will persevere and defeat all foes that seek it harm.
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has learned that the anti-human rights ISIS terrorist organization has made recent claims in updates to their manifesto that they seek to expand their extremist caliphate (“khilafah”) beyond the Syria and Iraq areas. This update to the ISIS manifesto has been followed by a new report which has shown ISIS’s active terrorist activity in 18 countries, with at least 50 terrorist attacks that have affected 2800 people ( killing 1,100 people and injuring more than 1,700 people.)
As R.E.A.L. has previously reported, ISIS terrorist activity has appeared in multiple countries.
Specifically in the ISIS manifesto, in “Chapter 9: Final Chapter – Be prepared for a Global War which will hit every member of this Ummah (Muslim Nation),” the ISIS manifesto indicates: “The Islamic State would now expand beyond Iraq and Syria. It would now expand into [countries from East to West:] the Phillipines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Palestine, Egypt (Sinai), Libya, Somalia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Bosnia, and would gain many supporters from across Europe and America and Canada. Every country I have mentioned here has had some members or supporters release videos on the internet showing their support/allegiance for the Islamic State. The Caliphate now was not restricted to Syria and Iraq only, but it was now around the world.”
In the manifesto, the ISIS members believe: “You will attack Arabia and Allah will enable you to conquer it, then you would attack Persia (Iran) and He would make you to conquer it. Then you would attack Rome and Allah will enable you to conquer it, then you would attack the Dajjal and Allah will enable you to conquer him.”
On December 15, 2015, CNN reported “ISIS goes global: Mapping 50 attacks in 18 countries that killed 1,100 people.” In the report, CNN stated “ISIS has morphed from a scourge affecting Iraq and Syria to a threat to people around the world. Since declaring its caliphate in June 2014, the self-proclaimed Islamic State has conducted or inspired at least 50 terrorist attacks in 18 countries that have killed 1,100 people and injured more than 1,700 others.” CNN reported that: “The deadly tentacles of ISIS have spread quickly, from the terrorist group’s epicenter in parts of Iraq and Syria to points around the globe.”
CNN Report on Global ISIS Terrorist Activity
Statistica did a study on where ISIS terrorist supporters where sending Twitter messages from, and the top countries were: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, United States of America, Egypt, Kuwait, Turkey, Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, United Kingdom, and Tunisia.
There have been ISIS or ISIS inspired terrorist attacks in at least 7 of these countries in 2015: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, United States of America, Kuwait, United Kingdom, and Tunisia, as well as recent attacks in France and other countries.
Statistica Analysis of Where ISIS Twitter Messages are Coming From
Even when the ISIS terrorist attack in a major Western city just directly affects that country, it also results in the killing of people with nationalities and citizenship from multiple nations, as we saw in the November 13, 2015 Paris terrorist attack.
Countries and Nationalities Impacted by ISIS Terrorist Attack on November 13, 2015 in Paris, France
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
An American man in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been arrested for providing conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the ISIS terrorist organization.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz Arrested for Supporting ISIS Terror Group
As reported in the complaint filed in Middle District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia for this case (I:15-MJ-81), Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz used Twitter to and other social media to promote attacks on the United States of America, including calls for the assassination of President Barack Obama, specifically for his beheading. According to the complaint, Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz also promoted slavery of women, and stated that he was interested in buying a teenage Yazidi woman slave. The complaint states that Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist organization and to Abu bakr Al Baghdadi. It states that Jalil Ibn Ameer Azi sought to promote violent attacks on the United States, and circulated a list of the names of addresses of U.S. military to urge attacks on them and their homes. The complaint states that he called for the killing of Non-Muslims with a regular chant “KillAllKufar.” In addition, the complaint states that he tried to make travel arrangements for individuals to travel to ISIS controlled territories.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz had 57 different Twitter accounts which he used to promote ISIS terrorist ideology and promote violence. He also had what the authorities describe as a “tactical-style backpack” including “five M4-style high-capacity magazines loaded with 5.56 ammunition, a modified kitchen knife with the handle removed and wrapped in cloth or string, a thumb drive, a tin filled with various over-the-counter-medications, and a head wrap commonly referred to as a balaclava.” He wrote “Pennsylvania have very light gun laws its very easy to arm yourself.”
American ISIS – Pennsylvania Man Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz Arrested for ISIS Terror Group Support, Called for Terrorist Attacks on USA and President
Penn Live also reported that Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz appeared in court on December 18, 2015: “A soft-spoken man, Aziz, who wore a gray long-sleeved T-shirt and gray sweat pants and sandals, accepted the counsel of assistant federal public defenders, Lori Ulrich and Heidi Freese during the proceeding. Carlson read the charges Aziz is facing to him. Aziz answered the judge in mostly ‘yes’ and ‘no’ statements during the hearing that lasted about 15 minutes. Carslson told Aziz he could face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000, followed by three years of supervised release, if found guilty of the charges the U.S. Attorney’s Office lodged against him.”
The complaint provides statements by Jeffrey D. Gruppo, a Special Agent with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (“PFPA”) assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Joint Terrorism Task Force (“JTTF”) as Task Force Officer (“TFO”) , including the following statements:
“8. An investigation by the JTTF has revealed that AZIZ espouses violent
jihadist beliefs and is a fervent supporter of a foreign terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”). AZIZ uses social media to spread ISIL propaganda and to seek support for the terrorist group from individuals over the internet. AZIZ’s social media activity supports ISIL by radicalizing and recruiting others. AZIZ has conspired with others and attempted to facilitate the travel of other ISIL supporters to Syria so that they can become ISIL fighters. Furthermore, your affiant believes that AZIZ may be preparing to conduct or assist others in conducting an attack in the United States based on the discovery of a backpack containing numerous high-capacity weapons magazines, ammunition, a knife, and other survival items during a November 27, 2015 physical search of AZIZ’s residence. ”
“13. AZIZ has created and used at least 57 different Twitter accounts. It appears that Twitter routinely suspends AZIZ’s accounts due to the radical nature of his postings, which violate Twitter’s policies. AZIZ then responds by creating backup accounts or opening a new Twitter account with slightly different
variations of common user names that he uses. AZIZ frequently uses a variation of “Colonel Shami” as either his username, vanity name, or to refer to himself. AZIZ also commonly re-establishes contact with common associates of his on Twitter.”
“15. AZIZ commonly uses his Twitter accounts to spread pro-ISIL propaganda, including news from ISIL sources as well as execution photos and videos. Open sources revealed that AZIZ has also used his Twitter accounts to directly and indirectly advocate for violence, encourage individuals to provide monetary support for jihad, express his desire to make pilgrimage to ISIL- controlled territory, provide advice about how to travel inconspicuously, and facilitate others’ travel to fight for ISIL.”
“16. AZIZ has used Twitter to pledge allegiance to ISIL and its leader, al
Baghdadi. On or about June 29, 2014, AZIZ, using the Twitter account @AnsarUmmah, posted “My bayah to sheikh Abu bakr Al Baghdadi.” [In this context the term “bayah” translates to allegiance].”
“17. AZIZ has used Twitter to advocate for violence. On or about January 8, 2015, AZIZ, using account @Ansara1Ummah8, tweeted “#KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #KillAllKufar #Kill All Kufar.” [The term “kufar” translates to “infidels” and I believe is synonymous with “non-believers” in this context].” (R.E.A.L. notes there are others still promoting this on Twitter.)
“18. On or about January 29,2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Colonel_Shami, D tweeted “#IS “Know O Obama, that we are coming to America and know that we will sever your head in the White House” “.” This post also included a picture of a masked militant about to behead an unknown soldier. The affiant believes that AZIZ was sharing ISIL messages and propaganda regarding threats against the United States.”
“19. On or about February 2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Ansara1Ummah13, posted or re-posted numerous Tweets, some of which advocated for violence in the United States. The Tweets appear to have been made in response to the shooting of three Muslim individuals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on or about February 10, 2015. The Tweets are as follows:
a. On or about February 11, 2015, AZIZ retweeted from @abubritani3, “#usa will pay for #ChapelHillShooting we will make sure you don’t live in peace,”
b. Also on February 11, 2015 AZIZ tweeted “This martyrdom will be a spark that will awaken sleeping lions in America, let their blood watered the seeds of jihad.#ChapelHillShooting,” and “Dear moderates. Give up a life of
humiliation-kissing the boot of the kufaar oppressors for a life of liberation in #IS #ChappelHillMartyrs.”
“20. On or about April 16, 2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Ansara1Ummah2Bl tweeted “Perform your Islamic duty. Support the Jihad with your wealth. Surah Baqarah (2:195) RT & SHARE DM for more info.” Your affiant believes that AZIZ is encouraging others to provide funding to jihadi groups, most likely ISIL. Your affiant further believes that by asking potential funders to “DM,” AZIZ is encouraging funders to message him directly using Twitter. Twitter’s direct messaging function is private and messages sent using this function are only viewable to the participants in the conversation.”
“21. Law enforcement has confirmed that on or about March 21,2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Baqiyaah201S posted to Twitter account @_Qariban_ talking about how to covertly travel to the Islamic State and mask the intention of the travel. Using Twitter account @Baqiyaah201S, AZIZ tweeted the following, “Hmmm so if I want make hijrah to Islamic State just act like person who going there to do Civilians jobs?”. AZIZ then continued “…May Allah make our hijrah easy inshallah. Maybe one can go there as university student to study in Mosul University.”
“22. On or about March 21, 2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Baqiyaah201S, tweeted “Pennsylvania have very light gun laws its very easy to arm yourself.”
“23. On or about May 2, 2015, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Ansara1Ummah49, tweeted “”When can be like him?? [emoji] Pray for me to be with my bros and get a VISA to Jannathul firdouse.[emoji] Jazakallah khair ….” [The term “VISA to Jannathul firdouse” translates to “a visa to paradise (or heaven)”]. Your affiant believes that AZIZ is expressing his desire to gain entry to heaven by conducting jihad or becoming a martyr.”
“24. On the same day, AZIZ, using Twitter account @Ansara1Ummah49, and other Twitter users also discussed making “hijrah” [the term “hijrah” translates to “emigration,” but in some contexts, travel to land controlled by ISIL]. Twitter user @endoftdrms tweeted, “@Ansara1Ummah49 one day I will probably see colonel shami made hijrah.” AZIZ, using Twitter account @Ansara1Ummah49, responded “@endoftdrms [three smiling faces] inshallah akhi.” Based on the investigation, your affiant believes that “colonel shami” is an alias frequently used by AZIZ. Your affiant believes that AZIZ’s response suggests that he intends to travel to territory controlled by ISIL. On more than one occasion, AZIZ has declared his desire to travel to the “Islamic State.” Additionally, AZIZ has also expressed an interest in disguising the purpose of his travel, as discussed in paragraph 15.”
“25. On or about May 30, 2015, in response to a then upcoming Draw Mohammed event in Phoenix, Arizona, Twitter user @GhanimaHaqq [AZIZ] reposted from @NdangeredSpecie “I hope the brothers have nailbombs ready for those protesters. Kill them all.” ”
“26. On or about July 21, 2015, Twitter user @MuslimBruhO [AZIZ] carried on a Twitter conversation with other Twitter users about purchasing Yazidi women for slaves. For his part in the conversation, @MuslimBruhO [AZIZ] posted the following:
“@_I_I_I_I @Etimdz How much the yazidi women cost plus what’s there ages??”
“@Etimdz @_I_I_I_I I’m serious, I’m considering on buying one girl inshallah once I arrive in Islamic State loooool”
“@TheScimitar 107 @YesSirQadhi @Etimdz @_I_I_I_I I just want one girl 17yearsold”
“27. The affiant assesses that AZIZ was not only talking about purchasing a female slave, but also talked about traveling to the “Islamic State.” The reference to the “Islamic State” when used by ISIL supporters refers to the territory, mostly in Syria and Iraq, which is currently held by ISIL.”
“28. On or about July 24, 2015, @MuslimBruhO [AZIZ] posted a Tweet about desire to travel to the “Islamic State.” “@peace_seekerl @NdoSisi_ May Allah grant us a way to make hijrah to the Islamic State.” The affiant assesses that “hijrah” is a reference to traveling to an Islamic country, and in this instance AZIZ was again referring to the “Islamic State”, or ISIL territory.”
“29. Your affiant believes AZIZ is currently using Twitter accounts with a variation of”Islamic Analyst” in the name. On or about November 26, 2015, AZIZ, using @lslamicAnalyst5, tweeted, “Photo report [picture of a camera]: #IS sniper battalion in #Kirkuk .. #lslamicState #Iraq #ISIS Link: justpaste.it/p5yr pic.twitter.com/3je515n04q.” The links show multiple pictures of snipers in
various settings.”
“30. AZIZ has also used Twitter to spread ISIL propaganda that advocated for violence against United States military members. On or about March 21, 2015, AZIZ using Twitter account @Baqiyaah20 1s tweeted “Well, US military guys are f**cked IS hacker division just revealed 100 of their address photos n Intelloooool #Baqiyah.” On the same day, AZIZ also posted “Yep them US guys are pretty F**ked all right exuse my language …” This post also contained a photo of United States service members and their identifying information.”
“31. On or about March 21,2015, AZIZ using Twitter account @Baqiyaah201S tweeted “US Military Hacked by Islamic State Hackers […]100 Addresses of Military Personnel Leaked!\”.” This Twitter posting also included a hyperlink to the full document released by the “Islamic State Hacking Division.” The affiant has reviewed this release and affirms that it contains the names of 100 reported United States military members, their alleged addresses and other identifying information, and calls for violence against them.”
“32. AZIZ has been contacted by multiple individuals about traveling to the Islamic State. Your affiant believes this is due in large part to AZIZ’s efforts to promote himself in the on-line extremist community as someone who can facilitate travel on behalf of ISIL. AZIZ has also cultivated a reputation within this on-line extremist community as someone who has important travel facilitation contacts within ISIL. All travelers and travel facilitation contacts are identified as coconspirators. Unless otherwise noted, their identities are known to law enforcement.”
There are another 6 pages in the complaint of details about Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz working to coordinate travel to ISIS controlled areas. There are five individuals referenced using pseudonyms to avoid alerting such ISIS terrorist supporters.
“40. On or about November 27, 2015, pursuant to a court-authorized search, law enforcement confirmed that there was a tactical-style backpack in AZIZ’s closet. A search of the backpack identified five M4-style high-capacity magazines loaded with 5.56 ammunition, a modified kitchen knife with the handle removed and wrapped in cloth or string, a thumb drive, a tin filled with various over-the-counter-medications, and a head wrap commonly referred to as a balaclava. The affiant believes this hood is a similar style worn by ISIL members to hide their identities.”
A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resident was arrested today on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, a U.S. citizen, is charged in a two-count criminal complaint that was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania following his arrest. His initial appearance will be at 4:30 p.m. EST in Harrisburg.
The arrest was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith of the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.
“According to the allegations in the complaint, Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz conspired to provide and attempted to provide material support to ISIL by propagating their hateful rhetoric on social media and aiding individuals in their pursuit of traveling overseas to join the designated foreign terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “A prior physical search of Aziz’s residence also revealed a tactical-style backpack in his closet, which contained high-capacity weapons magazines, ammunition, a knife, and other survival items. The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to hold accountable any and all those who seek to provide material support to terrorists, and to disrupt potential attacks in the United States before they happen.”
“The charges in this case focus on Aziz’s efforts to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for the Islamic State,” said U.S. Attorney Smith. “These charges are a testament to the perseverance and dedication of those who stand watch over our nation and a clear message that those who support terrorism—will face justice.”
“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) will move with speed to detect and disrupt those who are involved in facilitation or operational planning in support of a terrorist organization. There is no difference between the two, and we will aggressively pursue every threat in order to protect our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sweeney. “In this instance, Aziz operated quietly on behalf of the Islamic State and facilitated others looking to do the same.” Sweeney extended his appreciation to the Harrisburg-based members of FBI Philadelphia’s JTTF, and he encouraged anyone with concerns about suspicious behavior to contact appropriate authorities.
According to the complaint, Aziz has used at least 57 different Twitter accounts to advocate violence against the United States and its citizens, to disseminate ISIL propaganda and espouse pro-ISIL views. Aziz is alleged to have posted a hyperlink containing the names, addresses and other identifying information of 100 reported members of the U.S. military and calls for violence against them. Additionally, on at least three occasions, Aziz also allegedly used his Twitter accounts and other electronic communication services to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for ISIL. In one instance, Aziz allegedly acted as an intermediary between a person in Turkey and several well-known members of ISIL. According to the allegations in the complaint, Aziz passed location information, including maps and a telephone number, between these ISIL supporters.
A prior search of a backpack located in Aziz’s closet identified five loaded M4-style high-capacity magazines, a modified kitchen knife, a thumb drive, medication and a balaclava.
A criminal complaint is only a charge is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, and the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia JTTF. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Robert Sander and Adam L. Small of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl Bloom of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Also as shown on Twitter there are also extremists who are calling for his release:
Those Using Twitter to call for the Release of Accused American ISIS Terrorist Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz in Pennsylvania (Source: Twitter)
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As always, R.E.A.L. views that all are legally innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.
We cannot support human rights, if we also do not reject those who seek to rob our brothers and sisters in humanity of their lives and security, which are also our universal human rights.
On December 17, 2015, in the U.S. Central District Court in Riverside, California, in U.S. Government Complaint in Case Number 5:15MJ498, the FBI investigating agent in the arrest of Enrique Marquez, charged with “conspiring to provide material support to terrorists,” stated that Tashfeen Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS on Facebook.
On page 20, paragraph 50:
— “On December 2, 2015, at approximately 8:43-8:47 a.m., an individual subsequently identified as Malik searched social media for materials related to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”), also referred to as the Islamic State (“IS”), or the Islamic State of Iraq and al-sham (“ISIS”), or Daesh. ISIL, formerly known as Al-Qa’ida in Iraq (“AQI”), is United States Department of State designed foreign terrorist organization and has been so since December 2004.”
Screen shot of FBI Affidavit, paragraph 50, in December 17, 2015 Complaint in U.S. District Court on Enrique Marquez
On page 21, paragraph 54:
— “That same day, on December 2, 2015, at approximately 11:14 a.m. a post on a Facebook page associated with Malik stated, “We pledge allegiance to Khalifa bu bkr al bhaghdadi al quraishi.” [AGENT NOTE: Based on my training and experience, I believe that Malik was referring to Abu Bakhr Al Baghdadi, who is the leader of ISIL].”
Screen shot of FBI Affidavit, paragraph 54, in December 17, 2015 Complaint in U.S. District Court on Enrique Marquez
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) finds the contentious political discourse involved in an ongoing terrorist investigation to be counter-productive, and believe a focus on facts and on the human rights issues involved should be a priority for the citizens of the world. Let us never forget that victims of terrorist attacks also have human rights too. R.E.A.L. rejects the denial about the repeated and documented cases of extremist, such as those supporting ISIS and other various extremists, who seek to threaten the human rights, dignity, security, and lives of others. In the “battle of ideas,” we must consistently challenge those extremist groups and their followers, who seek to deny our Universal Human Rights.
