Dearborn man charged with supporting ISIS in Syria, sister says he was kidnapped
A Dearborn man was arraigned Wednesday in federal court on Wednesday on charges that he was fighting in support of ISIS in Syria.
Ibraheem Izzy Musaibli, 28, was charged with providing and attempting to provide material in support of ISIS.
Musaibli, a natural-born U.S. citizen, was detained by Syrian forces and recently transferred into U.S. custody when the charges were filed. According to the indictment, from April 2015 through June 2018, he provided personnel and services to ISIS.
"That is not an insignificant period of time to provide support to a terrorist organization," US Attorney Mathew Schneider said. "The government has a lot of information about this case. We are aware of many facts but that is not something that we going to be able to talk about right now."
The indictment did not further expand what Musaibli is accused of providing the terrorist organization.
"The National Security Division will not tolerate threats to our country from terrorist organizations like ISIS-not least of all those that come from our own citizens," said Assistant Attorney General Demers. "Musaibli's alleged provision of material support to ISIS put the United States at risk and may have endangered the lives of countless innocent people. I am confident that he will face justice for his crimes, and I hope that his case sends a clear message that we will hold our citizens accountable who are apprehended overseas and tried to join a terrorist organization such as ISIS. I am also grateful to our law enforcement and military partners who made this prosecution possible."
Musaibili's sister, Fatima, and mother were in court as well. They did not comment on camera on the arraignment. Fatima did say off camera that her brother is very religious and went to Syria to learn about Islam. She said he was this captured by ISIS, his passport was burned, and he was arrested by forces as he was trying to flee.
"That information might come out at some time but I can tell you the indictment says that from April 2015 through June 2018 that's a significant amount of time," Schneider said.
If convicted, Musaibli could face 15 years in prison. However, if it is found that he killed someone while acting for ISIS, he could get life in prison.
For now, he's behind bars as the government wants a detention hearing. That's set for Friday and the judge will decide whether to keep him in jail or let him free until trial.