Islamic State Supporter Sentenced to 32 Months in Prison

YERUSHALAYIM
(Reuters/Khalil Ashawi, File)

A Nazareth court on Sunday sentenced a Shfaram resident to 32 months in prison for expressing support and offering assistance to the Islamic State terror group. Ashraf ibn-Riad was convicted earlier of stealing weapons and planning attacks in Israel on behalf of IS. He also planned to leave Israel and fight on behalf of IS in Syria, and was in touch with IS terrorists to develop a plan whereby he would fly to Turkey and enter Syria from there.

Just last week, the Shin Bet, along with the Israeli Police, said that they had arrested an Israeli citizen who had attempted to leave for Syria to fight on behalf of the Islamic State terror group. The culprit, Valentin Vladimir Mazalevsky, is an immigrant from Belarus who converted to Islam in 2000 during his IDF service. He was a resident of the Arab village of Shibli.

Investigators determined that Mazalevsky, who is married and has five children, was a supporter of IS and had been in communication with members abroad. He had purchased a ticket to travel to Turkey, where he was to rendezvous with Islamic State fighters and enter Syria, according to officials. He was indicted Wednesday, and will remain in custody until the end of proceedings against him, officials said.

Overnight, Motzoei Shabbos, security officials said they arrested 10 wanted security suspects in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.

 

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