Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi, Funding ISIS, California 2022

Former San Diego Resident Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Funding ISIS Terrorist Activities in Syria

Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi, a Canadian national and former resident of San Diego, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring with others to provide material support to terrorists engaged in violent activities such as murder, kidnapping and maiming of persons in Syria.

Abdullahi, 37, was sentenced in federal court on October 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to all charges on December 17, 2021. He was arrested on September 15, 2017, pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, and was detained in Canadian custody without bail, pending extradition. He was subsequently extradited to San Diego to face the material support charges in the indictment.

According to the government's sentencing memorandum and Abdullahi's plea agreement, Abdullahi provided both money and personnel to support the violent jihadist activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization. From November 2013 through March 2014, Abdullahi encouraged, aided and financially assisted six North American nationals in traveling to Syria where they joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and engaged in armed battles to gain control of the territories and civilian populations within Syria.

Abdullahi also admitted that he committed a violent crime – the January 9, 2014, armed robbery of an Edmonton, Canada, jewelry store. Within weeks after committing that robbery, Abdullahi wired monies to San Diego, totaling approximately $3,100, for the purpose of financing the travel of Douglas and the 18-year old Minneapolis cousin's travel to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. Douglas, a former San Diego resident, is the first known American to die fighting for ISIS.

Abdullahi's crimes were investigated by the FBI, which has made protecting the American people from terrorism—both international and domestic—a top priority. The FBI will continue to investigate all who support terrorist organizations, whether it be financially or through other means.

The case against Abdullahi has delivered justice to a man who directly funded violent acts of terrorism. His sentence serves as a reminder that such actions will be met with severe consequences.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/former-san-diego-resident-sentenced-funding-isis-terrorist-activities-syria