Chicago man sentenced to 25 years for ISIS propaganda network

Ashraf Al Safoo managed online media operation that produced terror content, hacked Twitter accounts

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:04pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a computer keyboard and mouse, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the digital tools used to spread terrorist propaganda.The digital infrastructure behind a terrorist propaganda network is exposed in stark detail.Chicago Today

A 41-year-old Chicago man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for managing an online media operation that produced propaganda for the Islamic State, encouraged lone-wolf attacks, and hacked Twitter accounts to spread extremist content. Ashraf Al Safoo, who operated under various online aliases, was found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to transmit threats, and multiple computer hacking charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the spread of extremist propaganda online. It also raises concerns about the radicalization of U.S. citizens and the potential for homegrown attacks.

The details

Prosecutors said Al Safoo managed the Khattab Media Foundation, a Telegram-based organization that served as a media operation for ISIS. He started as a writer drafting articles promoting ISIS's ideology and eventually rose to oversee the writers group, assigning topics, editing, and coordinating releases with the design and video teams. The FBI identified him through his email account, which prosecutors said referenced the beheading of American journalist James Foley. Khattab created propaganda tied to major world events and produced infographics threatening attacks in the West. Al Safoo also participated in 'Twitter raids,' seizing control of multiple accounts to flood them with ISIS content.

  • Al Safoo was arrested in Chicago in 2018.
  • He was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on April 18, 2026.

The players

Ashraf Al Safoo

A 41-year-old Chicago resident who operated under the online aliases 'Abu Al-Abbas Al-Iraqi,' 'Abu Shanab,' and 'Abussi.' He was found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to transmit threats, and multiple computer hacking-related charges.

Khattab Media Foundation

A Telegram-based organization that served as a media operation for ISIS, with a highly structured operation that included writers, graphic designers, and a video unit.

James Foley

An American journalist who was publicly beheaded by ISIS in 2014.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey

The judge who presided over the case and rejected Al Safoo's argument that his activities amounted to constitutionally protected speech.

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What they’re saying

“Prosecutors had pushed for a far stiffer sentence of 40 years with lifetime court supervision, saying Al Safoo was 'almost certainly irrevocably radicalized.'”

— Prosecutors

“The government described Al Safoo as functioning as a 'contracted press person' for the notoriously violent and prolific terrorist organization.”

— Prosecutors

What’s next

The judge's decision on the length of Al Safoo's sentence and any additional supervision requirements will be closely watched by counterterrorism experts and civil liberties advocates.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the spread of extremist propaganda online. It also raises concerns about the radicalization of U.S. citizens and the potential for homegrown attacks.