Andrew M. Luger, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota
A Minneapolis resident, Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. The charges stem from allegations that Hassan attempted twice in December 2024 to travel from Minnesota to Somalia with the intent of joining the terrorist organization.
Hassan allegedly tried to mask his intentions by claiming he was visiting family in Somalia, despite having no relatives there. During these attempts, he carried documents such as his birth certificate and high school diploma. The FBI's investigation revealed that Hassan publicly supported ISIS on social media and communicated with a Facebook account linked to the Manjaniq Media Center, which promotes itself as part of the Islamic Caliphate's media wing.
Further evidence showed Hassan praising Shamsud-Din Jabbar for an ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans on January 1, 2025. Additionally, on February 21 and February 26, 2025, videos surfaced of Hassan driving while displaying an ISIS flag and possessing a knife.
Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick stated: “As we have all seen in recent months, ISIS and its supporters pose the gravest of dangers to our communities.” She emphasized that individuals like Hassan are a significant threat to national security and will face accountability.
Alvin M. Winston Sr., representing FBI Minneapolis, added: “The FBI will continue to aggressively use all of our authorities to investigate and arrest anyone who assists foreign terrorist organizations.”
Hassan appeared before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court today following his arrest on a criminal complaint charging him with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He remains in custody pending a formal detention hearing scheduled for March 5, 2025, before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko in St. Paul.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Minneapolis Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar along with National Security Division Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorneys Ryan White and Charles Kovats Jr., are handling prosecution duties.
It is important to note that a complaint is merely an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
