A Chicago man has been convicted on multiple charges for his role in a sophisticated online operation that supported ISIS, as federal prosecutors announced yesterday. Ashraf Al Safoo, a 41-year-old Chicago resident and leader of the Khattab Media Foundation, was found guilty of creating and distributing ISIS propaganda via social media, aiming to recruit new members and incite violent acts.
The content disseminated by Al Safoo and the Khattab Media Foundation ranged from pro-ISIS videos and articles to imagery glorifying acts of terrorism and mass shootings in the U.S., this level of digital manipulation and extremist mobilization highlighted the disturbing intersection of social media's reach and radical ideologies. Al Safoo was arrested in Chicago in 2018, following substantial efforts by the FBI to dismantle extremist networks operating within the U.S., after a bench trial that concluded in federal court in Chicago under U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, he was found guilty of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and various counts related to computer and threat transmission offenses.
"Today’s conviction demonstrates that the safety and security of the American public is always a top priority for me and my entire Office," U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros told the Justice Department. The government's case against Al Safoo was handled by prosecutors from the Northern District of Illinois and a Trial Attorney from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, showcasing a coordinated effort to confront and thwart extremist activities on U.S. soil.
The array of charges brought against Al Safoo carry a maximum sentence of 130 years, with Judge Blakey setting the sentencing for October 9, 2025, the dedication and vigilance of the prosecutors, together with law enforcement partners, has proven integral to stopping threats before they can evolve into action; these efforts are vital to ensuring the well-being of communities across the nation. "The conviction of Al Safoo affirms the FBI’s strong commitment to protecting and defending the United States from anyone who seeks to harm our citizens," said FBI Chicago Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta, as he praised the work of the FBI Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force and its partner agencies.
