Terror suspect bragged on social media, feds say

sacramento, calif. » An Iraqi man bragged about his experience fighting in Syria and the skills he developed as a teenage insurgent as he urged a fellow Iraqi refugee in the U. S. to join him inwhat both hoped would be martyrdom, according to documents filed in federal court.

Aws Mohammed Younis Al- Jayab, 23, of Sacramento, described his experience fighting against Syrian government soldiers in heroic terms and in 2013 promised he would train Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, of Houston, in how to use weapons and sneak into Syria to join the fight, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed in federal court in Sacramento.

The two Iraqi- born Palestinians used social media to discuss their plans, according to federal authorities. The communications provided the link that led to terrorism- related charges against the men this week.

Al- Jayab faces up to eight years in prison on charges of traveling to Syria to fight in late 2013 and early 2014 and lying toU. S. authorities about his travels. Al Hardan, who faces up to 25 years in prison, is charged with attempting to provide material support for terrorists.

Al- Jayab’s attorney on Friday criticizedU. S. politicians who he said “have grossly mischaracterized the nature and scope of this case” to tie it to the debate over whether the United States is doing enough to screen refugees.

“There is no threat that this man poses or no indication that he’s engaged in any activity since his return two years ago. The only activities that were interrupted were his studies and his work,” defense attorney Ben Galloway said.