A federal jury on Tuesday delivered a verdict in a high‑profile terrorism case that has drawn national attention. The jury convicted Halima Salman, a 27‑year‑old U.S. citizen and former Brooklyn resident, of knowingly receiving military‑style training from the Islamic State (ISIS) while living in Syria.
Trial details and conviction
Salman, also known as “Umm Khattab al‑Muhajir,” was found guilty of joining forces with a designated foreign terrorist organization and of receiving authorization to carry a semi‑automatic rifle. Prosecutors presented video of Salman holding the rifle, a photograph of her beside an ISIS flag, and text messages she sent to her husband praising the group.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York said, “With today’s verdict, Salman is held accountable for joining forces with a terrorist organization. ISIS ravaged Syria and caused havoc across the globe; our Office will continue to prosecute those who supported its murderous reign.”
Background of the defendant
According to the Justice Department, Salman’s parents moved the family of ten, including her eight siblings, to ISIS‑controlled territory in Syria in 2016. At age 18, she married an ISIS fighter and voluntarily sought the group’s military training. During the trial, Salman testified that she believed the family was traveling to visit relatives in Turkey when her father instead crossed the border into Syria. She blamed her father for many of the events and said she did not want to be “married off” at 18, attempting to obtain a divorce before fleeing.
Salman was later detained by anti‑ISIS forces in Baghouz, Syria, in 2019 and returned to the United States in 2024, where she was arrested. She broke down in tears after the verdict was read, and members of her defense team and her mother were also seen crying in the courtroom.
Legal next steps
Salman faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 2. Her attorneys have asked the judge to set aside the verdict, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction.
The case marks the first time a woman accused of joining ISIS has been tried in a U.S. federal court, underscoring the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting American citizens who support foreign terrorist organizations.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
