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US brings charges against American alleged to be sniper, weapons instructor for IS

WASHINGTON, July 19 (KUNA) -- A naturalized US citizen was charged Friday in a federal court in New York with "providing and attempting to provide material support, including training, services and personnel," to the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.
The Department of Justice said Ruslan Asainov, born in Kazakhstan, was "detained overseas by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and recently transferred into FBI custody." In December 2013, Asainov traveled to Turkey then entered into Syria and joined IS "and became a sniper for the terrorist organization," the DOJ added. He then became in charge of training other (IS) members in the use of weapons and "also attempted to recruit another individual to travel from the United States to Syria to fight for (IS)." Asainovآ’s initial appearance is scheduled for later today before a Magistrate Judge at the United States Courthouse New York.
"The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," the DOJ noted. (end) si