Authorities said in a criminal complaint that Alimehmeti this month tried to provide advice and assistance to a person he thought was traveling from NY to Syria to train and fight with ISIS.
Advertisement
A Bronx man was taken into federal custody early Tuesday morning for allegedly providing material support to a terrorist organization.
He is among almost 90 people who since 2014 have faced US charges over crimes related to Islamic State, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq and has claimed responsibility for attacks in Paris in November that killed 130 people.
Content Preview This content is exclusive for Optimum, Time Warner, Comcast, customers with access to News 12.
Court officials say in 2015, Alimehmeti was once again denied access into the United Kingdom after security officials discovered pictures related to ISIS including flags, and attack pictures of explosive devices on his cellphone. The cellphone and laptop material allegedly included photos of Alimehmeti making the pointed index finger gesture used by ISIL to reflect support.
According to the complaint Alimehmeti had been on the radar of authorities since at least 2014, when he was twice denied entry to the United Kingdom.
In meetings with “undercover law enforcement employees” officials said Alimehmeti played “multiple ISIL-related videos” on his computer and phone, including decapitation videos. Prosecutors also allege he had purchased military-style knives for himself, as well as gloves with steel knuckles, a reversible face mask and handcuffs. Those purchases were made during the past 11 months, authorities said. The criminal complaint against Alimehmeti said British authorities discovered camouflage outfits and “nunchucks” in his luggage.
He was blocked from traveling to the Middle East twice in 2014 – first in October 2014 and then again in December – and later applied for a new passport.
Advertisement
Authorities said in a criminal complaint that Alimehmeti this month tried to provide advice and assistance to a person he thought was traveling from NY to Syria to train and fight with the Islamic State.
