Overview
Missouri-based Ramiz Zijad Hodzic is a Bosnian immigrant and alleged financier and facilitator for extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, reportedly including the Nusra Front and ISIS.“Indictment,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division, February 5, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-edmo/legacy/2015/02/06/terorism_indictment.pdf. In early February, Hodzic was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, one count of conspiracy to kill or maim persons in a foreign country, and one count of providing material support to terrorists.“Indictment,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division, February 5, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-edmo/legacy/2015/02/06/terorism_indictment.pdf.
On February 11, 2015, he pleaded not guilty in U.S. District court in St. Louis, Missouri.Alan Scher Zagier, “Bosnian Immigrants plead not guilty in terror financing case,” Yahoo News, February 11, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/bosnians-reject-hatred-wake-terror-financing-case-060550317.html.
Along with five others, Hodzic allegedly collected and transferred money to now-deceased foreign fighter Abdullah Ramo Pazara, as well as other fighters in Syria and Iraq.“Indictment,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division, February 5, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-edmo/legacy/2015/02/06/terorism_indictment.pdf. They allegedly collected and mailed supplies such as military uniforms, combat boots, firearms accessories, optical equipment, and other gear and supplies.“Indictment,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division, February 5, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-edmo/legacy/2015/02/06/terorism_indictment.pdf.
Hodzic allegedly wired approximately $10,000 to fighters in Syria and Iraq.Alan Scher Zagier, “Bosnian Immigrants plead not guilty in terror financing case,” Yahoo News, February 11, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/bosnians-reject-hatred-wake-terror-financing-case-060550317.html. He was reportedly successful in utilizing services such as Facebook, Western Union, PayPal, and the United States Postal Service to communicate with other individuals, transfer money, and ship materials.Associated Press, “Bosnian Immigrants Plead Not Guilty in Terror Financing Case,” New York Times, February 11, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/11/us/ap-us-islamic-state-missouri-charges.html?_r=0.
On November 14, 2019, Hodzic was sentenced to eight years in federal prison on “one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and one count providing material support to terrorists.”“St. Louis County man gets 8 years in prison for aiding ISIS commander in Syria,” St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 14, 2019, https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-county-man-gets-8-years-in-prison-for-aiding-isis-commander-in-syria/article_7da1e7ab-5070-5628-85f4-2092e9ea11f4.html.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- U.S.-based financier and facilitator
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
- Extremist entity
- Nusra Front
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Al-Qaeda and affiliated groups, Islamist, Jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni
- Position(s):
- U.S.-based financier and facilitator
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
In Their Own Words:
We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].
Mar. 2023