RussianTaliban Fighter Convicted Of Terrorism Charges

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

Irek Ilgiz Hamidullin, 55, a Russian national and former Russian army tank commander, was convicted today by a federal jury of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, conspiring to shoot down American helicopters and to kill U.S. and Afghan soldiers, conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction and several other charges related to an attack he led on U.S. and Afghan forces in Afghanistan in November 2009.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Andrew G. McCabe of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office made the announcement.

“Irek Hamidullin was convicted of numerous terrorism offenses in connection with orchestrating and conducting a violent attack on Afghan and U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2009, including conspiring to kill members of the U.S. military,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  “Hamidullin was captured and detained by the U.S. military in Afghanistan and brought to the United States for trial.  This case once again demonstrates our resolve to find and bring to justice, using all available tools, those who target U.S. citizens and interests around the world.”

“This case is an example of our criminal justice system functioning exactly the way it was designed,” said U.S. Attorney Boente. “I want to commend our trial team for their hard work in this case, bringing it from indictment to conviction in 10 months. I would also like to thank our partners at the FBI’s Washington Field Office for their efforts on this case.”

“Hamidullin’s conviction today should serve as a reminder to terrorists around the globe that the FBI is committed to finding justice for Americans who are attacked both overseas and at home,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge McCabe.  “Along with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will aggressively bring to justice those who seek to kill U.S. troops and who provide material support to terrorist organizations.”

Hamidullin was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2014, followed by a superseding indictment on April 23, 2015.  The guilty verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson of the Eastern District of Virginia.

According to court records and evidence at trial, Hamidullin was a former Russian army tank commander who had contact with high level Taliban and Haqqani Network personnel.  On Nov. 28, 2009, Hamidullin led a group of fighters in an attack on U.S. and Afghan forces at Camp Leyza, located in the Khost Province of Afghanistan, near the border of Pakistan.  He had planned the attack for months, received approval from the Taliban and Haqqani Network, recruited other fighters and acquired weapons for the attack, including IED’s, heavy machine guns and a shoulder-fired rocket, with the intent of shooting down U.S. helicopters responding to the attack.

According to evidence presented at trial, on the night of Nov. 28, 2009, Hamidullin and his fighters initiated their attack, beginning with firing into Camp Leyza.  Soon after the attack began, two U.S. Army helicopters responded to Camp Leyza, just as Hamidullin knew from his months of planning and reconnaissance.  He positioned himself on a nearby hill, away from his fighters, where he had a clear view of the battlefield and could radio orders to his fighters.  As the helicopters approached, he ordered his fighters to fire the anti-aircraft weapons he had strategically placed in the area.  Both weapons malfunctioned and the helicopters were not fired upon.  He then ordered his fighters to pack up their weapons and other gear and return to Pakistan.  During their retreat, U.S. forces ultimately identified and eliminated approximately 20 of Hamidullin’s fighters.

The next morning, as U.S. and Afghan forces were conducting a battle damage assessment, Hamidullin was found hiding on the battlefield.  After a brief firefight with U.S. Army soldiers, the two insurgents were killed and Hamidullin was wounded and captured. 

Hamidullin faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 6, 2015.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Gill and James P. Gillis of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jennifer E. Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. 

Daniel Partick Boyd, AKA "Saifullah," Pleads Guilty To Terrorism Charges

The U.S. Justice Department announced that Daniel Patrick Boyd, aka “Saifullah,” 40, pleaded guilty today in federal court in New Bern, N.C., to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons in a foreign country.

The guilty plea by Boyd, a U.S. citizen and resident of North Carolina, was announced by David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and George E.B. Holding, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Boyd was first charged along with seven other defendants in a federal indictment returned on July 22, 2009. He was arrested on July 29, 2009 and the indictment was unsealed. On Sept. 24, 2009, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment that added additional charges against Boyd and two of the other defendants.

According to the superseding indictment, during the period from 1989 through 1992, Boyd traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan where he received military-style training in terrorist training camps for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad. Following this training, according to the indictment, he fought in Afghanistan.

According to the indictment, from roughly November 2006 through at least July 2009, Boyd conspired with the other defendants to provide material support and resources to terrorists, including currency, training, transportation and personnel. The defendants also conspired with others to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad during this period. The object of the conspiracy, according to the indictment, was to advance violent jihad, including supporting and participating in terrorist activities abroad and committing acts of murder, kidnapping or maiming persons abroad.

The indictment further alleges that, as part of the conspiracy, the defendants prepared themselves to engage in violent jihad and were willing to die as martyrs. They also allegedly offered training in weapons and financing, and helped arrange overseas travel and contacts so others could wage violent jihad overseas.

In addition, the defendants raised money to support training efforts, disguised the destination of such monies from the donors, and obtained assault weapons to develop skills with the weapons. Some defendants also allegedly radicalized others to believe that violent jihad was a personal religious obligation.

“Today, Daniel Patrick Boyd admitted his role in a multi-year conspiracy to advance violent jihad by recruiting and helping young men travel overseas to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons. I applaud the many agents, analysts and prosecutors who helped bring about today's successful outcome,” said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding commented, “This case proves how our world is changing. Terrorists are no longer only from foreign countries but also citizens who live within our own borders. We must protect our homeland. I am committed to using any and all legal means to take on the challenge of finding and prosecuting others with similar radical views who plot violent attacks.”

“North Carolina and the United States are safer now that Daniel Boyd is no longer in a position to plot against us. His admission of guilt today proves to the world he intended to carry out violent jihad, which our evidence against him has shown. This should send a signal to any who may share Boyd’s extremist ideology -- the FBI and our law enforcement partners won’t back down in our fight to stop the next attack,” said Joseph S. Campbell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service was proud to partner with the Raleigh FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in this investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). “We remain steadfast in our commitment to protect America's war fighters whether overseas or at home in America. By thwarting the terror plans of this group, we averted the unnecessary loss of lives of US military members and others.”

At sentencing, set for May 2011, Boyd faces potential life in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons in a foreign country and a potential 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the FBI, the DCIS, the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Raleigh Police Department, the Durham Police Department and the North Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Bowler and Barbara D. Kocher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Trial Attorney Jason Kellhofer, of the Counterterrorism Section in the Justice Department’s National Security Division.