A Tajik national, Mansuri Manuchekhri, was arrested in Brooklyn on charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). He faces additional charges for possessing firearms while unlawfully residing in the United States and committing immigration fraud. Manuchekhri made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy, who ordered him detained.
The arrest and charges were announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; James E. Dennehy, FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD.
Attorney General Bondi stated that terrorism will not be tolerated by her department: “We stand ready to find, arrest, and prosecute those who seek to harm American citizens with the full force of the law.” U.S. Attorney Durham emphasized that prosecuting individuals who fund terrorist organizations is a priority: “Protecting the homeland and prosecuting evildoers...will always be a priority of this Office.”
Sue Bai assured that the Justice Department would continue to pursue those supporting terrorists: “We will not allow our immigration or financial systems to be exploited.” FBI Assistant Director Dennehy highlighted Manuchekhri's violation of immigration laws while providing financial support to extremists: “In his promotion of violence...the defendant made clear his desire to support violent extremism.”
NYPD Commissioner Tisch commended law enforcement partners for their efforts in identifying and arresting Manuchekhri: “The NYPD will stop at nothing to protect New Yorkers from those who support...violent ISIS extremists.”
According to allegations in the complaint, Manuchekhri entered the United States from Tajikistan on a tourist visa in June 2016 but overstayed after it expired in December 2016. In March 2017, he attempted a sham marriage with an American citizen for legal status but failed due to insufficient documentation.
From December 2021 through April 2023, Manuchekhri allegedly facilitated $70,000 in payments to ISIS affiliates in Turkey and Syria. He expressed support for ISIS through praise for past attacks and by collecting propaganda videos promoting violence.
The complaint also alleges that despite being prohibited as an alien unlawfully present in the U.S., Manuchekhri possessed firearms and frequented shooting ranges. In February 2022, he reportedly sent a video message firing an assault rifle at a range with a message indicating readiness.
If convicted on all charges, Manuchekhri could face up to 45 years' imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Pollack and Andrew D. Reich with assistance from Trial Attorneys John Cella and Andrea Broach.
Mansuri Manuchekhri is currently detained awaiting further legal proceedings.