Salem, Oregon – Hawazen Sameer Mothafar, a Muslim immigrant from Iraq, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to charges of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group. The 33-year-old now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Mothafar, who immigrated to the United States in 2014, was arrested in November 2020 following an extensive FBI investigation. Mothafar is not a U.S. citizen but falsely claimed he had no ties to foreign terrorist groups when he sought to become a naturalized U.S. citizen in October 2018. The indictment accused him of collaborating with members of the Islamic State group to produce and distribute propaganda materials and providing technical support to the group’s overseas members through social media and email accounts. He was associated with Al Dura’a al Sunni, also known as the Sunni Shield, a pro-Islamic State internet-based media organization responsible for publishing extremist content.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight provided details about Mothafar’s involvement with the Sunni Shield Foundation, a pro-Islamic State online media organization. Mothafar co-founded the foundation and played a crucial role in creating propaganda videos and graphics that encouraged attacks on behalf of the Islamic State. He obtained permission from the group to publish an online newspaper and served as an editor, producer, and distributor of propaganda material. He designed graphics inciting violence against Westerners and promoting knife attacks. Mothafar also published tutorials on explosive devices and maintained connections with Islamic State officials. Additionally, he facilitated communication between a terrorist imprisoned in West Africa and Islamic State officials in an attempt to aid the individual’s release. Mothafar’s involvement in propagating ISIS ideology underscores the critical role online platforms play in terrorist efforts and recruitment.
The case highlights the Islamic State group’s continued emphasis on maintaining an active online presence, often referred to as the “digital caliphate,” following its territorial losses in Iraq and Syria in 2017. Christine Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stressed the significance of the group’s media outlets in influencing vulnerable individuals susceptible to ISIS messaging.
Initially, Mothafar had pleaded not guilty to charges of providing material support to a designated terrorist organization and conspiring to provide such support. However, he changed his plea to guilty on Tuesday, prompting a plea agreement. Mothafar now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2024, when U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernández will determine the specific duration of his imprisonment.
Mothafar, who suffers from physical disabilities and uses a wheelchair, has been out of jail under strict release conditions due to being considered a low flight risk. These conditions include travel limitations and restrictions on the use of electronic devices. Kevin Sonoff, a U.S. attorney’s office spokesperson, confirmed that these release conditions remain in effect.
