A Minnesota man who fought for the Islamic State group in Syria has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Abelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, expressed remorse and wept in court on Thursday as the sentence was handed down.
Al-Madioum cooperated with federal authorities ahead of the hearing, leading prosecutors to recommend a lower sentence than the 20-year maximum. US District Judge Ann Montgomery described the case as 'extraordinary', citing his path from a loving home to a terrorist organisation and his subsequent collaboration with the government.
The naturalised US citizen was 18 when he was recruited by IS in 2014. He left his family during a visit to Morocco in 2015 and made his way to Syria, where he became a soldier until he was maimed in an explosion in Iraq, losing an arm and shattering a leg. He later used his computer skills to serve the group.
Al-Madioum married two women and had children while with IS. His first wife died in his arms after being shot. He later surrendered to Kurdish-led forces and was held for 18 months before being returned to the US. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to providing material support to a designated terrorist organisation.
His attorney said he had rejected extremist ideology years ago and had helped the government in other terrorism cases. The judge weighed sentencing guidelines with his cooperation, noting letters of support including one from a former US ambassador. Al-Madioum has already served over five years and may receive credit for that time.
