Federal authorities say 19-year-old Kamal Fataliev, a Russian national and a student at Penn State Abington, has been indicted after being accused of lying to the FBI about his supposed ties to “ISIS sympathizers.”

From the Justice Department’s press release:

United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Kamal Fataliev, 19, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged by indictment on charges of making false statements to federal agents. Specifically, the indictment alleges that, in May 2023, Fataliev made materially false statements to Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) special agents who were conducting an international terrorism investigation.

According to federal documents, Fataliev is alleged to have uploaded over 200 terrorism-related manuals to various online chat groups. Investigators say officials learned of Fataliev’s alleged terrorist connections during the FBI’s investigation into an apparent terror attack in Chicago last year.

From the Fataliev’s indictment form:

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIAUNITED STATES OF AMERICA :v. : CRIMINAL NO. 23- 308KAMAL FATALIEV :GOVERNMENT’S MOTION FOR PRETRIAL DETENTION

Defendant Kamal Fataliev is charged with making false statements to FBI agentsconducting an international terrorism investigation. Through his lies, Fataliev sought to frustratean investigation into the identities of others who may have accessed bomb making manuals andsimilar resources that he posted in two separate online chat groups populated with terror supporters.

Hundreds of copies of weapons and explosives manuals were found in Fataliev’s apartment, and agents also uncovered several online posts where Fataliev allegedly “demonstrated his support for violence on behalf of ISIS.”

According to 6NBC WJAC, Fataliev admitted to making the posts but later told officials that he had “abandoned his radicalism.”

If convicted, prosecutors say Fataliev faces a possible maximum sentence of 16 years in prison and potential deportation.

According to Penn State Abington’s website, Fataliev was a member of the Business Leadership Team.

For additional coverage, you can read The Inquirer’s article here.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.