A Russian national living in California has pleaded guilty to funneling tens of thousands of dollars to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Justice Department announced on Monday that Murat Kurashev, 36, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group operating in Syria. Kurashev was arrested by the FBI after a federal grand jury indicted him on Feb. 18, 2021.
According to court documents, Kurashev used money transfer services to send approximately $13,000 to two known couriers for an HTS fundraiser between July 2020 and February 2021. The funds were used to support the purchase of military equipment, clothing, firearms, and other items. Surveillance footage captured Kurashev during some of the transactions, providing evidence of his involvement.
Prosecutors revealed that Kurashev was fully aware of the fundraiser’s violent extremist ideology and actively supported their work on behalf of HTS. He expressed a desire to join the fight in Syria as a mujahideen but could only provide financial support. Kurashev and the fundraiser considered the financial assistance equivalent to engaging in violent jihad.
Kurashev’s online presence and social media accounts were closely monitored by law enforcement. Forensic analysis of his Apple iCloud account revealed a significant amount of violent extremist content, including videos depicting HTS fighters.
U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller is scheduled to sentence Kurashev on March 18, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as HTS or the “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant,” has been a dangerous opposition force throughout the Syrian civil war. Despite a public split from al-Qaeda in 2017, HTS retains a Salafi-jihadist ideology, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The guilty plea by Kurashev highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to disrupt the flow of funds to terrorist organizations and prevent acts of violence. The case serves as a reminder of the global threat posed by extremist groups and the need for continued vigilance in combating terrorism.
