A federal jury in Brooklyn on Tuesday convicted Halima Salman, 27, of receiving military training from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) after a two-week trial. The verdict follows deliberations that began Thursday, with jurors initially indicating disagreement before reaching a unanimous decision.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Salman pledged loyalty to the militant group, received weapons training, and participated in its activities, including a video showing her holding an assault rifle and a photo of her with the ISIS flag. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Shami argued in closing statements that the evidence demonstrated Salman’s voluntary involvement with a "violent, brutal, terrorist organization responsible for attacks across the world."
The defense portrayed Salman as a victim of coercion, testifying that she was taken to Syria at age 17 by her father under false pretenses and later forced into marriage with an ISIS fighter. Salman testified that she refused an arranged marriage at 18 and repeatedly attempted to escape, stating, "You try to leave, it is death." She described enduring threats and restrictions, including her husband’s control over her movements.
Salman, a U.S. citizen born in Brooklyn, was 17 when her father took the family on what she believed was a trip to visit relatives in Turkey in 2017. Instead, the group crossed into Syria, where she remained for years. Prosecutors argued that despite her claims of duress, Salman’s actions—such as sending supportive text messages to her husband and appearing in propaganda materials—indicated willing participation.
The jury’s verdict was delivered in federal court in Brooklyn, with Salman visibly emotional upon hearing the decision. A relative in the courtroom reached out to comfort her as she shielded her face while leaving the courthouse. The judge has not yet set a sentencing date.
ISIS, despite losing its territorial caliphate in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, continues to operate through sleeper cells that have carried out deadly attacks in both countries. The case highlights ongoing legal efforts to prosecute individuals linked to the group, including those who traveled abroad to join its ranks.