Minneapolis, (Idil News) – A 22-years-old Minneapolis adult male has been arrested and charged while trying to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, U.S. authorities confirmed.
Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan was taken into custody following an FBI investigation that revealed his alleged efforts to travel to Somalia to join ISIS, according to a criminal complaint unsealed by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
The complaint alleges that Hassan, in December 2024, made two unsuccessful attempts to leave Minnesota for Somalia, claiming he was visiting family despite having no relatives there. He carried his birth certificate, naturalization certificate, and high school diploma during these attempts, authorities claim.
Investigators found that Hassan had openly expressed support for ISIS on social media, including communicating with a Facebook account linked to the Manjaniq Media Center, a self-proclaimed media arm of the Islamic Caliphate that facilitate individuals to join the militant group.
The probe also uncovered posts in which Hassan praised Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who carried out an ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans on January 1, 2025.
In recent weeks, Hassan escalated his activities, posting a video on February 21 showing himself driving while holding a small ISIS flag, followed by another clip displaying an open knife on his lap. Five days later, on February 26, FBI agents observed him driving with the ISIS flag in hand again, the complaint states.
โAs we have all seen in recent months, ISIS and its supporters pose the gravest of dangers to our communities,โ Kirkpatrick said in a statement. โThose who support foreign terrorist organizations in our homelandโlike Hassanโare a clear and present threat to our national security. They will be held to account.โ
Alvin M. Winston Sr., head of FBI Minneapolis, stated. โThe FBI will continue to aggressively use all of our authorities to investigate and arrest anyone who assists foreign terrorist organizations,โ he said.
Hassan faces one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS. He appeared in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung, who ordered him detained pending a formal detention hearing set for March 5 in St. Paul before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.
The investigation, led by the FBI with support from the Minneapolis Joint Terrorism Task Force.