CHICAGO — A 41-year-old Chicago man has been convicted in federal court for providing material support to ISIS and using social media to incite violence, spread propaganda, and recruit operatives for terrorist activities.
Ashraf Al Safoo, an Iraqi-born U.S. citizen, was found guilty on multiple federal charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to transmit threats, and unlawfully accessing protected computers. He now faces a possible sentence of up to 130 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 9.
Conviction Tied to Pro-ISIS Propaganda Network
Federal prosecutors say Al Safoo served as the leader of the Khattab Media Foundation, an online organization devoted to spreading violent propaganda for ISIS (also known as ISIL).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khattab operated under ISIS directives and published videos, infographics, and articles designed to incite acts of terrorism and radicalize new followers. Al Safoo and his network distributed these materials across various online platforms.
In one internal message uncovered by investigators, Al Safoo urged his followers to:
“Participate in the war, and spread terror. The [Islamic] State does not want you to watch it only, rather, it incites you, and if you are unable to, use it to incite others.”
Social Media Used as a Weapon of Terror
Court documents reveal disturbing examples of Al Safoo’s digital tactics. In October 2017, Khattab circulated an infographic glorifying the Las Vegas mass shooter, labeling it “The Las Vegas Conquest” in Arabic and English.
By December 2017, the group released a chilling animated video showing a gift-wrapped bomb under a Christmas tree, which transitioned into a montage of global cities before ending in a fictional detonation scene. The video concluded with the Khattab logo, underscoring the group’s message of global terror.
U.S. Attorney: ‘We Will Vigorously Pursue These Threats’
In a statement following the verdict, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said:
“Today’s conviction demonstrates that the safety and security of the American public is always a top priority. We will vigorously pursue and bring to justice those who provide material support — in whatever form — to terrorist organizations.”
This conviction is the latest in a series of cases where federal prosecutors have sought to disrupt online radicalization efforts. Al Safoo’s case, however, is particularly notable due to the scale of his operation and the depth of content production involved.
What’s Next?
With sentencing set for this fall, Al Safoo remains in federal custody. Authorities continue to investigate other operatives and media contributors linked to Khattab Media Foundation. Officials have not ruled out additional charges for others involved in the network.
The Justice Department reiterated that these efforts remain critical in the broader fight against domestic and international terrorism.
Have you seen suspicious online content promoting violence or terror groups? The FBI encourages the public to report tips at tips.fbi.gov.
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