American Isis ‘sniper’ charged in New York after being captured in Syria
- Court documents claim Ruslan Maratovich Asainov sent texts telling friends in the US he was fighting for ‘the worst terrorist organisation in the world’
Kazakhstan-born Ruslan Maratovich Asainov fought for Isis in Syria for five years before he was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and handed over to US custody, the department said.
He once boasted that he supported “the worst terrorist organisation in the world”, authorities said as they announced his arrest.
“Asainov travelled overseas, joined Isis, and became a fighter and a sniper for the terrorist organisation,” said Assistant Attorney General John C Demers of the National Security Division. “He was ultimately detained overseas, turned over to the FBI, and will now face justice in an American courtroom.
“The United States is committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to fight for Isis,” Demers said. “We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise repatriate and prosecute their own citizens for travelling to support Isis.”