A federal jury in Manhattan on Monday, November 4 delivered a decisive verdict convicting Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a 34-year-old Kenyan national, on all six counts related to terrorism conspiracy charges.
The charges included plotting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and conspiring to murder US nationals in an attack planned to echo the devastation of September 11. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland accentuates the gravity of Abdullah’s conviction, noting that the jury recognized him as an operative of al Shabaab who intended to orchestrate an attack reminiscent of September 11. Al Shabaab, which has sworn allegiance to al-Qaeda, maintains a reputation for violent extremism and continues to pose significant security threats across East Africa.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence of Abdullah’s extensive preparation, including his completion of a rigorous six-month military training program in Somalia. During this period, he developed proficiency with AK-47 assault rifles and learned to construct improvised explosive devices alongside al-Shabaab militants. His plan advanced significantly in 2017 when he enrolled in a Philippines flight school to obtain a commercial pilot license.
Federal prosecutors demonstrated how Abdullah conducted thorough research into securing piloting positions within the United States, intending to ultimately hijack and crash an aircraft into a prominent American building. Choosing to represent himself during the trial, he expressed his conviction that the American justice system is fundamentally flawed, a perspective that illuminates the complex antagonism some extremists harbour toward Western legal institutions.
Given the severity of his crimes, Abdullah faces substantial prison time. Court documents indicate he could receive a minimum sentence of 120 years, as three separate counts each carry mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years. The charges of conspiracy to commit transnational acts of terrorism and to murder US nationals could result in life imprisonment.
