The Department of Justice on Tuesday announced the conviction of a New York woman for receiving military training from the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham in Syria.
Halima Salman, 27, was convicted by a jury following a two-week trial in which prosecutors said she received weapons training and pledged her loyalty to the terrorist organization. Jurors began deliberations on Thursday and, at one point, indicated disagreement before returning their verdict on Tuesday.
During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that Salman and her eight siblings were brought to Syria by their parents in September and October 2016. Shortly after, when Salman turned 18, she married an Islamic State group fighter in what was reported to be an arranged marriage.
Salman, also known as Umm Khattab al Muhajir, then pursued military training from ISIS while in Syria with her husband.
Prosecutors presented the jury with images recovered from Salman’s husband’s phone showing her in front of an ISIS flag holding an AK-47 rifle. Also on her husband’s phone was a document showing Salman had completed training with the extremist group.
“There is simply no excuse for aligning with or receiving military training from an organization responsible for such suffering,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said. “Today’s verdict sends a clear message that those who support this death cult will be found and prosecuted.”
Attorneys for Salman painted her alignment with the group as forced by her father and later by her husband. She claimed her husband was abusive, and she testified that she objected to being “married off” to him and attempted to get a divorce. She also claimed her loyalty was fake, as she was trapped in war-torn Syria and opposing ISIS would have posed a danger to her life.
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Prosecutors disputed her claims, showing the jury what they framed as loving texts between Salman and her husband. During cross-examination, prosecutors were able to get Salman to admit she sent her husband a song praising Osama bin Laden.
With Salman’s conviction, she faces up to 10 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
