Sajmir Alimehmeti, a Bronx man also known as “Abdul Qawii,” pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to attempting to provide material support to ISIS and committing passport fraud in furtherance of terrorism. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, marks the culmination of a years-long investigation by the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force into Alimehmeti’s efforts to aid the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.
According to court documents, including the Superseding Indictment and statements made during the plea proceeding, Alimehmeti attempted to enter the United Kingdom in October 2014 but was denied entry after authorities discovered camouflage clothing and nunchucks in his luggage. Two months later, he was again turned away, this time after U.K. officials found images of ISIS flags on his cellphone. A forensic review of his devices revealed extensive pro-ISIS material, including photos of Alimehmeti with an ISIS flag, images of fighters, and electronic communications helping another individual travel to Syria to join ISIS.
Back in New York, Alimehmeti didn’t slow down. He displayed an ISIS flag in his Bronx apartment and, during recorded meetings with undercover law enforcement, played graphic ISIS propaganda videos depicting beheadings. He expressed interest in radicalizing others in the Bronx and stockpiled military-grade gear—combat knives, tactical rucksacks, masks, handcuffs, and pocket saws—all stored at his home.
In October 2015, Alimehmeti applied for a new U.S. passport, falsely claiming his previous one was lost. In reality, he told an undercover agent the rejection stamps from his U.K. denials would hinder travel. He sought a clean passport to facilitate his journey overseas to join and fight for ISIS, making his intentions clear to investigators.
The final nail came in May 2016, when Alimehmeti met with an undercover agent posing as a recruit headed to Syria. On May 17, 2016, he provided advice, contact information for an ISIS affiliate, and assistance in acquiring encryption technology and travel documents. The operation, conducted under federal surveillance, sealed his fate.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “As he admitted in court today, Sajmir Alimehmeti took steps to travel overseas to support ISIS’s terror campaign. He also bought military-type weapons and assisted another to get travel documents, equipment, and encryption technology to fight with ISIS in Syria. Thanks to the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force, Alimehmeti now awaits sentencing for his admitted crimes in support of a terrorist organization.”
Related Federal Cases
- Ahmed Mohammed El Gammal Convicted in Manhattan for ISIS Support · New York
- Zacharia Abdurahman Gets 10 Years for ISIL Support · Minnesota
- Hamza Ahmed, 21, Gets 15 Years for ISIL Support Plot · Minnesota
- Guled Omar, 22, Gets 35 Years for ISIL Support · Minnesota
- Brooklyn Man Naji Charged in ISIL Support Plot · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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