Halima Salman Convicted for Training with ISIS
A federal jury found Halima Salman guilty on Tuesday for knowingly receiving military training from ISIS while she lived in Syria. This trial marked a significant milestone, as it was considered the first instance of a woman accused of joining ISIS facing charges in a U.S. federal court.
Salman, who is 27 years old and formerly lived in Brooklyn, could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for February 2.
Federal prosecutors revealed that in 2016, Salman, along with her parents and eight siblings, left the United States and eventually settled in territory controlled by ISIS in Syria.
At a young age, she married an ISIS fighter and actively sought military training from the group, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors also stated that Salman pledged allegiance to ISIS and engaged in its activities.
She had been granted permission by the terrorist organization to carry an assault rifle and received a certification for completing the training, which was later found on her husband’s phone.
Throughout the trial, the jurors viewed evidence such as video footage showing Salman with an assault rifle, a photograph of her alongside an ISIS flag, and text messages she sent in support of her husband.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. remarked that the verdict held Salman accountable for her involvement with a terrorist organization, emphasizing the harm caused by ISIS in Syria and worldwide.
Upon the verdict announcement, Salman became emotional and was comforted by her defense team. Her mother, who arrived after the verdict was delivered, was also seen crying. Many members of the defense team displayed visible emotions, including the lead attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg.
Earlier in the proceedings, jurors expressed difficulty in reaching a unanimous decision and were sent back to deliberate multiple times.
Salman’s defense painted a picture of a teenager who was swept up in the Syrian civil war by her father and later by her husband. Born in Brooklyn, she testified that she initially thought they were heading to Turkey to visit relatives, only to find themselves crossing into Syria instead.
She admitted to blaming her father for many of the unfortunate events in her life and shared her reluctance to marry at just 18, stating she had even tried to get a divorce.
Ultimately, Salman fled alongside other refugees, distancing herself from her husband. In 2019, she was captured in Baghouz, Syria, by forces opposing ISIS and was arrested after returning to New York in 2024.
Salman’s attorneys have since requested that the judge dismiss the verdict and acquit her, contending that the evidence was not sufficient to uphold the conviction.
