Salt Lake City Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

SALT LAKE CITY – Murat Suljovic, 24, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release by a U.S. District Court Judge in Utah on Thursday for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) which is a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to the plea agreement, Suljovic admitted that, in January 2019, he used an online persona to pretend to be an ISIS leader and provide would-be attackers advice about potential terrorist attack targets and plans.  Suljovic admitted he used this persona to provide a bomb-making tutorial video to someone he believed to be an ISIS supporter with the understanding that it was to train and assist in carrying out an attack for ISIS.

Suljovic admitted that, by providing the bomb tutorial, he knowingly attempted to provide material support to ISIS, knowing that ISIS has engaged in terrorism.

“Suljovic provided advice on potential targets, along with providing a bomb-making tutorial video and advice on how to plan an attack, to people he believed were motivated to carry out a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS,” said United States Attorney Andrea Martinez. “The fact that Suljovic carried out these actions while living in Salt Lake City shows the global reach of terrorist networks and should remind us to stay vigilant against the ongoing fight against terrorist organizations.”

“This case should serve as a reminder that the threat of terrorism is very real, and one we cannot underestimate,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennis Rice of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force works around the clock to protect our communities from those intent on causing grave harm.” 

The case was investigated by the FBI and members of its Joint Terrorism Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl D. LeSueur and Tyler L. Murray of the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office with the assistance of National Security Division Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe.