Afghan man sentenced for terror support

Mohammad Sharifullah was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday after a federal jury convicted him in April of providing material support to ISIS-K.

Connection to Abbey Gate bombing

Sharifullah was arrested in connection with the August 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport that killed 13 American service members and approximately 160 Afghan civilians.

Decade of ISIS-K plotting

Sharifullah admitted in FBI interviews that he aided ISIS-K in plotting dozens of attacks over roughly a decade as a member of the terrorist group.

Defense claims duress and torture

Defense attorneys argued the government had no direct evidence connecting Sharifullah to Abbey Gate besides his FBI statements, and claimed he was under duress after arrest by Pakistani authorities with a reputation for torturing terrorism suspects.

Families plead for maximum sentence

During a two and a half hour hearing, family members of the 13 service members killed tearfully pleaded with Judge Anthony Trenga to impose the maximum 20-year sentence.

“No justice will be enough to mend my broken heart. May the Lord give this man the mercy that he did not give my son or others.”

Father forgives the defendant

Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, asked Sharifullah to look at him and said, 'I forgive you. I will not carry my hatred for you the rest of my life.'

“I forgive you. I will not carry my hatred for you the rest of my life.”

Judge frustrated by sentencing limits

Judge Trenga called Sharifullah a 'dedicated terrorist' with 'no doubt' and expressed frustration that he could only sentence him to a maximum of 20 years, saying 'If I could pose a sentence separately for each of your victims, I would.'

“If I could pose a sentence separately for each of your victims, I would.”