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Springfield, Va. Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Funding ISIS
A Springfield, Virginia man has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for funneling thousands of dollars to ISIS. Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa was convicted on five counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to the Department of Justice, Chhipa sent more than $185,000 to female ISIS members in Syria between October 2019 and October 2022. Some of the funds were used to support ISIS fighters and help female members escape from prison camps.
Chhipa used social media to solicit donations, receiving funds both electronically and in person. He then converted the money to cryptocurrency and transferred it to Turkey, from where it was smuggled into Syria.
“This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “This severe sentence illustrates that if you fund terrorism, we will prosecute you and put you behind bars for decades.”
U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert emphasized that Chhipa “knowingly and persistently” provided substantial funds to support the violent extremist organization.