Chicago Man Charged With Using Social Media To Recruit For ISIS

CHICAGO — A Chicago computer engineer has been arrested on federal terrorism charges after authorities said he used social media to recruit operatives for ISIS and spread propaganda. Ashraf Al Safoo, 34, is accused of trying to "spread violent jihad" and encouraging people to carry out terrorist attacks, according to federal prosecutors.

Al Safoo was arrested Wednesday morning after a raid at his home in the city's Budlong Woods neighborhood, authorities said. He's a U.S. citizen with a master's degree in computer science and has worked for an IT company for several years, federal prosecutors said.

Al Safoo has been charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

“This charge demonstrates that in order to keep our communities safe, law enforcement will vigorously pursue those who provide material support – in whatever form – to designated foreign terrorist organizations,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch said in a statement. “Today’s arrest is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners who stand watch over our country.”

According to the complaint, Al Safoo is a member of Khattab Media Foundation, an internet-based organization that has "sworn an oath of allegiance to ISIS and created and disseminated ISIS propaganda online." Al Safoo and other members of Khattab created and posted pro-ISIS propaganda across multiple social media platforms, at the direction and in coordination with ISIS, federal prosecutors said.

According to the complaint, in 2017 Al Safoo reposted in a social media app for Khattab members a message calling for people to help ISIS in "any way possible, including by offering money or themselves." Al Safoo wrote, “Thus, it was incumbent on us to support them verbally and with money and soul and by inciting others to target the tyrants and expose the evil scholars and the Saudi rulers,” the complaint states.

Then in 2018, prosecutors said Al Safoo posted on multiple social media groups directions and encouragement for Khattab’s ISIS propaganda efforts: “Brothers, roll up your sleeves! Cut video publications into small clips, take still shots, and post the hard work of your brothers in the apostate’s pages and sites. Participate in the war, and spread fear.”

The complaint cites several images and videos allegedly created by Khattab and disseminated online. The postings include images of violence during the Christmas season, celebrations of terrorist attacks and mass shootings in the United States, and encouragement for “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in western countries, prosecutors said.

Because the material promoted violence, Khattab members frequently had their social media accounts suspended or deleted, the complaint states.

Al Safoo has been ordered held without bail, and is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing next Thursday.

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