(Washington Post) A Virginia man who was convicted of sending at least $185,000 to the Islamic State’s coffers as the terrorist organization struggled to rebuild its depleted operations in Syria was sentenced Wednesday to more than 30 years in prison after a heated exchange with a federal judge.
An attorney for Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, started off by describing him as a lonely and despondent man who was “longing for belonging” and took on a “blusterous” online persona.
“Mr. Chhipa is figuring out that he needs help,” defense attorney Zachary Deubler told U.S. District Judge David J. Novak, requesting a prison term of eight years at most. “We’re seeing the page turn here, your honor.”
The hearing veered off the rails once it was Chhipa’s turn to speak.
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