Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old resident of Virginia, has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for financing the terrorist group ISIS.
Sentencing and Charges
On May 7, 2025, federal judge David Novak sentenced Chhipa to 30 years and four months in prison. The information about the sentencing was released by the Department of Justice on May 8.
Chhipa's Activities and Actions
According to data released by the Justice Department, Chhipa collected and sent funds to a woman linked to ISIS in Syria between October 2019 and October 2022. He aided ISIS members in escaping from prison camps. Furthermore, the funds were used to support the group's violent activities. Chhipa raised the funds through social media and traveled long distances to collect them. After collection, funds were sent to Turkey, where they were smuggled into Syria.
Other ISIS Funding Cases
Another notable case involves Zoobia Shahnaz, a New York-based woman who sent over $150,000 to ISIS and was sentenced to 13 years in prison in March 2020. Shahnaz unlawfully secured a $22,500 loan and used stolen credit card data to purchase $62,000 worth of bitcoins in an attempt to join ISIS in Syria.
Chhipa's sentencing marks a significant step in the fight against terrorism financing and underscores the authorities' determination to combat such actions.
