WASHINGTON D.C.
Federal prosecutors charged the wife an a dead ISIS leader is allegedly responsible for the death of Kayla Jean Mueller with conspiracy to help the terrorist group, according to officials.
Nisreen Assad Ibrahim Bahar, aka Umm Sayyaf, 25, an Iraqi citizen and wife of Abu Sayyaf, a senior leader in ISIS until his death last year, was charged by criminal complaint today for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in the death of American citizen Kayla Jean Mueller in February 2015.
“Kayla Mueller’s kidnapping and death is a tragic reminder of the dangers that ISIL poses to Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. “We will continue to work alongside the FBI to investigate this case and remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice for the Mueller family.”
“The FBI continues to work tirelessly alongside our partners to hold accountable those who are responsible for the kidnapping and death of Kayla Mueller,” said Assistant FBI Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate. “This criminal complaint is another step toward achieving justice in the case. We will always be relentless in our efforts to identify, locate and arrest those who are responsible for the kidnappings and murders of American citizens.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, in August 2013, on their second full day in northern Syria, Mueller and another person were kidnapped at gunpoint by masked ISIS soldiers.
Mueller remained an ISIS hostage until her death on or about Feb. 7, 2015.
According to the affidavit, in August 2014, these are the allegations:
- Two unidentified individuals along with two young Kurdish women of Yazidi heritage, were forcibly kidnapped by ISIS from their village in northern Iraq.
- After their capture, the two individuals were taken to a prison in Syria maintained by ISIS where they were held with Mueller.
- On or about Sept. 24, 2014, Mueller, two unidentified individuals were transferred from the ISIS prison to the custody of Abu and Umm Sayyaf.
- Abu Sayyaf, who reported directly to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was ISIS’ minister of oil and gas, and was previously responsible for ISIS’ media program.
- The Sayyafs maintained several residences where they forcibly held Mueller, the two individuals along with other female captives.
- The captives were at various times handcuffed, held in locked rooms, and Mueller was sexually abused by Baghdadi, who forced her to have sex with him.
- Umm Sayyaf knew how Mueller was treated by Baghdadi when Mueller was held against her will in Sayyaf’s home.
- The Sayyaf residences featured ISIS flags and other ISIS-branded items, and often had numerous firearms open and visible to captives.
- For a period of time, a large supply of weapons was maintained in a room of one of the residences for use by ISIL fighters.
According to the affidavit, the Sayyafs held young women who were sold or traded to ISIS men, and the women were characterized as being “owned” by the ISIS men who acquired them.
While Mueller and the two people were held captive by the Sayyafs, Umm Sayyaf threatened the women, telling them she would kill them if they did not listen to her.
According to the affidavit, on or about May 15, 2015, the U.S. military conducted an operation targeting one of the Sayyaf residences.
During the operation, Abu Sayyaf was killed when he engaged with U.S. military forces and Umm Sayyaf was captured. Firearms stored at the residence at the time of the operation were seized and are currently in the custody of the FBI.
According to the affidavit, beginning on or about June 17, 2015, Umm Sayyaf was interviewed by FBI agents and admitted that her family belonged to the al-Qaeda in Iraq, a terrorist organization, the predecessor group to ISIS, and remained members of the terrorist organization when its name changed to ISIS.
The defendant admitted to holding Mueller, the two individuals and others hostage on behalf of ISIS. Umm Sayyaf also admitted she had sole responsibility for Mueller, the two individuals and others in captivity while her husband travelled on ISIS business.
In addition, she admitted to hosting ISIS members, including al-Baghdadi, at her residence.
According to the affidavit, Sayyaf admitted that al-Baghdadi “owned” Mueller during her captivity at the Sayyaf residence and admitted that “owning” is equivalent to slavery.
If convicted, Sayyaf faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.