European man extradited to D.C. to face charges of funding terrorism

Source: Washington Post

European man extradited to D.C. to face charges of funding terrorism
By Spencer S. Hsu July 20 at 5:21 PM 


Federal authorities on Monday announced terrorism charges against a man accused of raising money and recruiting fighters for the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, an Al Qaeda-backed terrorist group active in Afghanistan.

Irfan Demirtas, also known as Nasrullah, 56, a duel Dutch-Turkish national, was extradited Friday and made his first appearance in federal court Monday in Washington after a four-count indictment dated Dec. 8, 2011, was unsealed.

The charges include providing material support to terrorists and a foreign terrorist organization, receiving military-type training and a firearms charge. The terrorism support charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of the firearms charge as well, Demirtas could face up to a mandatory 30-year prison term.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. , called Demirtas’ extradition “an important step forward in holding him accountable for his alleged role in fomenting terror across Europe and the Middle East.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/european-man-extradited-to-dc-to-face-charges-of-funding-terrorism/2015/07/20/61456036-2f1b-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html?tid=hpModule_99d5f542-86a2-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394