The woman allegedly purchased Google Play gift cards for these groups.
Opening statements are expected to be made Tuesday in the trial of Victoria Jacobs, an Uzbekistan national accused of using cryptocurrencies to fund terrorist groups based in Syria and laundering supporters’ contributions.
It is the first ever terrorism financing prosecution in the New York State court system.
The six-count indictment, filed in January 2023, accused Jacobs of providing support for a terrorist act, money laundering and other crimes.
“This complex case demonstrates the depth of knowledge and resources this office has to combat terrorism and extremism in New York and around the world,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at the time.
Jacobs, known as Bakhrum Talibov, provided material support to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a foreign terrorist organization designated by the US State Department, and provided more than $5,000 to the terrorist training group “Tactical Epic,” which fought and provided special services. The indictment stated that tactical and military training was conducted for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
Jacobs allegedly laundered $10,661 on behalf of Malhama Tactical by receiving cryptocurrencies, Western Union and MoneyGram transfers from supporters around the world and sending the funds to Bitcoin wallets controlled by Malhama Tactical. In addition to sending cryptocurrencies, she also purchased Google Play gift cards for the organization, according to the indictment.
Jacobs has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
In October 2018, the accused kept notes on her cell phone, in which the indictment quoted her as saying, “Peace be upon you, dear brothers and sisters, we are currently building a new place (train camp), it is cold and we need a new place, whoever wants to help us and the support can do it safely.” And anonymously through a Bitcoin wallet. Send me a direct message for details. Retweet.”
In December 2019, Jacobs provided a comprehensive guide to the US Army’s improvised munitions to an online group — which she believed was linked to both Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the Al Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group Hurras al-Din — to facilitate bomb making. The indictment stated that the efforts made in Syria.
Prosecutors said Jacobs purchased military-style combat knives, metal knuckles and throwing stars in August 2021 that were found in her Upper East Side apartment.
“Alarmingly, approximately a month later, on September 21-22, 2021, the defendant, in a Telegram conversation, claimed to be a ‘brother’ who was ‘behind enemy lines’ and asked for prayers for ‘courage, strength and guidance.’” Assistant Prosecutor Edward said. Burns: “Wisdom to carry out certain tasks.”
“Along with these statements, the defendant posted a 15-second video of an unknown person making an ominous move with a firearm. The timing of this post and the defendant’s access to the weapons support the inference that she intended to use the weapons in an illegal manner.”