US authorities arrest citizen for expressing support for ISIS
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – US authorities arrested on Friday a man from Yonkers, New York, for expressing his support for Islamic State (ISIS) and threatening to kill police officers and mayor of the city.
The US Department of Justice said, in a release, that Kola, 32, is charged with making threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The department said, citing US Attorney Damian Williams as saying, “As alleged, Ridon Kola posted threats on social media against law enforcement, stating his support for ISIS and his intention to murder numerous police officers.”
Kola will be presented in White Plains federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.
In December 2021, New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives interviewed Kola, as he admitted to making the threatening posts but claimed he had no plans to harm YPD officers or the Mayor.
Beginning in early 2023, Kola has escalated his threats against the YPD and other government officials and has expressed his support for ISIS.
The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.