Brooklyn Man Convicted of ISIS Support, Death Resulted

BROOKLYN, NY – Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, a U.S. citizen and former resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, has been convicted of providing material support to ISIS, a verdict that officials say directly led to the death of one or more individuals. The federal jury delivered the guilty verdict today after a two-week trial before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. Asainov faces up to life in prison.

The 5-count indictment charged Asainov with conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS; providing material support in the form of personnel, training, expert advice and assistance; receipt of military-type training from ISIS; and obstruction of justice. The jury didn’t just find him guilty of aiding the terrorist organization – they determined his actions *resulted in death*. The announcement was made jointly by United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll, and NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.

“As proven at trial, Asainov was a member of ISIS, a violent foreign terrorist organization, which has committed numerous acts resulting in the deaths of many U.S. citizens and others,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The defendant committed to the terrorist organization’s evil cause and made an extraordinary journey to the battlefield in Syria, where he became a lethal sniper for ISIS and trained many other ISIS members to kill. Even after being captured, he still pledged his allegiance to ISIS. Today’s verdict is a victory for our system of justice, and against ISIS and those like the defendant who are committed to murdering innocent people here in the United States and abroad.”

Federal investigators detailed how, between December 2013 and March 2019, Asainov actively provided and conspired to provide material support to ISIS, including his own participation, training, and expertise. He wasn’t just a passive supporter; he became a trained fighter within the organization. The FBI’s Driscoll emphasized that combating terrorism remains the bureau’s top priority, and the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue relentless pursuit of those who threaten the U.S.

NYPD Commissioner Sewell minced no words, stating, “Asainov is a naturalized U.S. citizen who forsook the country that took him in – as well as his family in New York City – to instead pledge allegiance to ISIS and actively promote that terrorist group’s violent objectives.” She warned that the verdict should serve as a deterrent, but acknowledged the ongoing threat of ISIS-inspired violence. The FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with global partners, will remain vigilant.

Court documents reveal Asainov’s radicalization began in 2009 after converting to Islam, escalating through online consumption of extremist content. He abandoned his studies at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in September 2013, preparing for a one-way trip to Syria to join the violent jihad. On December 24, 2013, he left behind his wife and daughter in Brooklyn, purchasing a one-way ticket and embarking on a journey to become an active member of ISIS, where he would ultimately contribute to bloodshed.

RELATED: 18th Street Gang Members Convicted of Murder, Racketeering

RELATED: 18th Street Gang Members Face Life Behind Bars for Brutal Murder