A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Halima Salman of knowingly receiving military-style training from ISIS while she lived in Syria, bringing a closely watched terrorism case to a verdict, Fox News reported. Salman, a 27-year-old U.S. citizen and former Brooklyn resident, faces up to 10 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 2.
What jurors saw
During the trial, jurors were shown video of Salman holding an assault rifle, a photograph of her with an ISIS flag, and supportive text messages she sent to her husband, according to the Fox News report.
Prosecutors’ case
Prosecutors said Salman traveled to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria in 2016 after leaving the United States with her parents and eight siblings. The Justice Department said she was 18 when she married an ISIS fighter and voluntarily sought military-style training. According to prosecutors, she pledged loyalty to ISIS, obtained authorization to carry an assault rifle, and received a document certifying her completed training; officials said that certification was later recovered from her husband’s cellphone.
Defense argument
Her defense argued she was a teenager drawn into Syria’s civil war by her father and later her husband.
Court and officials
A courtroom sketch published by Reuters identified prosecutor Adam Amir and U.S. District Judge Natasha Merle during opening statements in Brooklyn federal court. After the verdict, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement: “With today’s verdict, Salman is held accountable for joining forces with a terrorist organization. ISIS ravaged Syria and caused havoc across the globe; our Office will continue to prosecute those who supported its murderous reign.”
What’s next
Salman faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison on the conviction. Sentencing is set for Feb. 2.
