U.S. accuses 6 immigrants of helping Islamic State
ST. LOUIS — Six people, including three St. Louisans, are facing charges of providing support and resources to terrorists.
An indictment has been unsealed charging Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, 40, his wife, Sedina Unkic Hodzic, 35, and Armin Harcevic, 37, all of St. Louis County. Nihad Rosic, 26, of Utica, N.Y., Mediha Medy Salkicevic, 34, of Schiller Park, Ill., and Jasminka Ramic, 42, of Rockford, Ill., were also named in the indictment.
The United States attorney's office says all six suspects are natives of Bosnia who immigrated to the United States and are either naturalized citizens or have refugee or legal resident status.
Federal investigators were working for two years between 2013 and 2014 to track the suspects. They say Ramiz and Sedina Hodzic were the point people for funneling money, guns and military equipment to Islamic State fighters in the Middle East. The husband and wife made their initial appearance in federal court Friday evening.
On Saturday, Salkicevic appeared in federal court in Chicago, speaking only to confirm she understood the charges against her.
Investigators say Ramiz set up an account in St. Louis to collect close to $8,000. He used his own money and got cash from the other suspects and third parties. Then, the feds say, Ramiz bought more than $2,400 in military equipment from St. Louis businesses. He bought military uniforms, combat boots, tactical gear and firearms accessories then shipped them through the U.S. Postal Service to Turkey.
Ramiz wired more than $7,700 cash between 2013 and 2014 through Western Union to Islamic State fighters, funneling it through Turkey, Bosnia and Saudi Arabia.
Ramiz Zijad Hodzic and Nihad Rosic are charged with conspiring to kill and maim persons in a foreign country.
The United Bosnian Association sent a statement saying:
We as a community are in shock and condemn any acts of terrorism as well as supporting any of it. As with any group of people there are some that do harmful things to society, unfortunately we have those as well. As with any other criminals the law and the system will bring them to justice.
If convicted, each count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists carries up to 15 years behind bars and/or fines up to $250,000. The charges of conspiring to kill and maim persons in a foreign country carry a penalty up to life in prison.
Contributing: The Associated Press