CHICAGO (Diya TV) — Mohammed Hazra Khan, a 21-year-old Indian-American man who allegedly wanted to join the Islamic State was handed a 40-month prison sentence in Chicago Friday, becoming the first Indian in the U.S. to be convicted of having any sort of relationship with the terrorist organization.
The judge in the northern Illinois federal court also directed Khan to undergo intensive mental health counseling for 20 years after his release from prison.
Khan had allegedly also encouraged his younger siblings to join the terrorist operative, and live in IS’ so-called caliphate. He was 19 when he was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the arrest came after he was detained by anti-terrorism authorities during a trip to the Middle East. His brother, 16 at the time, and his sister, 17 then, were detained at the airport as well, but were released following an intensive interrogation.
Khan admitted in open court to providing support to the Islamic State, and that he made multiple attempts to move abroad and become a full-fledged member, said Mary B. McCord, the acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
Khan is an American citizen who was born in the U.S., his parents immigrated from India and settled in Chicago before his birth.
His attorney, Thomas Anthony Durkin, said Khan had no intention of waging jihad against the U.S., but was instead naive and only wanted to join so he could live according to the Muslim doctrine.
“Mr. Khan set off to join and aid a terrorist organization that believes it is appropriate, indeed believes it is holy, to kill anyone who disagrees with its religious dogma,” federal judge John J. Tharp said in response.
“Instead of a public beheading, you’ve been given a public trial,” Tharp said to Khan in court.
