Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, Providing Material Support to ISIS, New York 2023

Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, Providing Material Support to ISIS, New York 2023

A Brooklyn resident and naturalized US citizen, Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, has been charged with providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in the Eastern District of New York, Asainov, 42, traveled to Istanbul, Turkey in December 2013 and subsequently entered Syria, where he joined ISIS and became a sniper for the terrorist organization. Over time, he rose through the ranks to become an ISIS 'emir' in charge of training other ISIS members in the use of weapons.

In March 2015, Asainov asked a confidential informant to send him approximately $2,800 so that he could purchase a scope for his rifle. He subsequently sent the confidential informant two photographs depicting the defendant holding an assault rifle fitted with a scope.

Asainov was detained overseas by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and recently transferred into FBI custody. His initial appearance is scheduled for today before United States Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold at the United States Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

The charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director Mike McGarrity for the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office FBI and Commissioner James P. O’Neill of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

“The United States is committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to fight for ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “As alleged in the court filings, Asainov traveled overseas, joined ISIS, and became a fighter and a sniper for the terrorist organization.

“The defendant, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Brooklyn, turned his back on the country that took him in and joined ISIS, serving its violent ends in Syria and attempting to recruit others to its cause,” stated U.S. Attorney Donoghue.

Defendant: Ruslan Maratovich Asainov

Criminal Charges: Providing Material Support to ISIS, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B

City and State: Brooklyn, New York

Exact Date: March 2015

Sentence or Outcome: Currently in FBI custody awaiting initial appearance

Dollar Amounts: $2,800

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/american-citizen-who-became-isis-sniper-and-trained-other-isis-members-use-weapons-charged