Dilkhayot Kasimov, an Uzbekistani citizen residing in Brooklyn, NY, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday after being convicted in 2019 of both conspiring to and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. 

In 2015, Kasimov helped pay for Akhror Saidakhmetov to go to Syria, knowing that Saidakhmetov planned to fight for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) upon his arrival. Kasimov used his own funds, as well as funds collected by others, and met Saidakhmetov at John F. Kennedy Airport, where he handed him USD 1,600 in cash towards his travel and expenses. 

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen praised the sentence, saying, “Kasimov is an ISIS supporter who collected and gave money to another individual to fund his travel to join the terrorist group. With this sentence, Kasimov is being held accountable for his crimes.” 

ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, ISIL or Daesh, was established in April 2004 by Abu Musab al Zarqawi and is mainly located in Syria and Iraq. According to the National Counterterrorism Center, ISIS planned or conducted at least 37 terrorist plots between February 2014 and July 2015, when Kasimov attempted to fund the group.

In 2017, Saidakhmetov was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the scheme.