Afghan Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Supporting ISIS-K and Role in Abbey Gate Bombing
Mohammad Sharifullah received the maximum sentence for material support to the terrorist group, though the jury could not directly link him to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.
An Afghan national, Mohammad Sharifullah, was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for providing material support to ISIS-K, a group linked to the deadly 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Sharifullah was convicted in April by a federal jury. He had admitted in interviews with the FBI to aiding ISIS-K in plotting numerous attacks over approximately a decade. However, the jury was unable to reach a consensus on whether Sharifullah's actions were directly responsible for the deaths of the 13 American service members and roughly 160 Afghan civilians killed in the August 2021 attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga stated that the evidence presented was sufficient to consider Sharifullah's role in the Abbey Gate bombing as part of the broader pattern of attacks he admitted to supporting as a member of ISIS-K. The judge expressed frustration that the maximum sentence allowed was 20 years, noting, "If I could pose a sentence separately for each of your victims, I would."
Family members of the service members killed in the bombing delivered emotional statements, with some pleading for the maximum sentence while others expressed forgiveness. Paula Knauss, mother of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, stated, "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."
Alicia Lopez, mother of U.S. Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez, said, "1846 days ago this animal put into motion events that would ultimately kill my son." Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, notably offered forgiveness to Sharifullah.
Sharifullah, who appeared via interpreter, remained largely impassive and declined to speak when given the opportunity. His defense attorneys had argued that the government's case relied solely on his statements to the FBI, made after his arrest by Pakistani authorities, who they claimed have a history of torture.
Sharifullah was arrested last year in connection with the bombing. At the time of his arrest announcement, then-President Donald Trump described Sharifullah as an "architect" of the attack. The sentencing marks a significant development in the legal proceedings related to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the attack that occurred during the chaotic evacuation.