Allegations include intent to assassinate President Obama and join the U.S. military to improve ISIL targeting or engage in an insider attack against military personnel.
The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) arrested Juraboev and Saidakhmetov in New York and the Jacksonville JTTF— in coordination with the New York JTTF— arrested Habibov in Jacksonville, Florida on 25 February 2015. According to the criminal complaint, the FBI arrested the individuals on charges of willfully attempting and conspiring to provide material support and resources, including themselves, to a foreign terrorist organization (FTOs). In addition, Juraboev expressed intent on an internet website to harm President Barack Obama if the opportunity presented itself, according to the complaint. The criminal complaint further alleges:Juraboev and Saidakhmetov allegedly expressed support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) through at least one Uzbek-language website, and Saidakhmetov allegedly viewed media and other content depicting the group’s operations in Syria. Juraboev additionally sought to swear an oath of allegiance to ISIL and expressed his intent to travel to ISIL-controlled territories to participate in terrorist activities abroad.
During other exchanges online, Juraboev further allegedly expressed interest in receiving guidance for engaging in an act of martyrdom on US soil, such as killing US President Barack Obama, according to the complaint. Saidakhmetov separately indicated interest in joining the US military to provide information regarding US military operations against ISIL to assist their attack planning, as well as in potentially targeting US soldiers or law enforcement officers using firearms.
Habibov allegedly provided money for expenses related to Saidakhmetov’s intended travel to Syria, including expenses relating to the purchase of an airplane ticket, according to the criminal complaint. Habibov allegedly also solicited donations from other individuals.
The DHS/FBI continue to advise local law enforcement with regards to the indicators of potential intent to provide material support to terrorists. For a description of these indicators, see Analysis of DHS/FBI Joint Intelligence Bulletin
