Man convicted of helping college student join Islamic State
NEW YORK — An Arizona man was convicted Monday on charges he helped a New York college student join the Islamic State group in Syria, a verdict Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor offered as proof that civilian courts can handle terrorism cases.
Ahmed Mohammed el-Gammal, a bespectacled suburban Phoenix man, did not immediately react as the jury foreman read the verdict to end the three-week trial.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara cheered the verdict.
“Once again, we have shown that terrorists and terrorist enablers can be brought to justice fairly, openly and swiftly in the crown jewel of our justice system — civilian courts,” Bharara said.