Six persons of Bosnian origin who had sought refugee status and immigrated to the US are facing charges of providing material support and resources to Islamic State terrorists. The six persons include three St. Louisans.
Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, 40, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, 35, and Armin Harcevic, 37, all of St. Louis County, Nihad Rosic, 26, of Utica, N.Y., Mediha Medy Salkicevic, 34 of Schiller Park, Ill., and Jasminka Ramic, 42 of Rockford, Ill. has been named in the indictment
As per information provided by the United States Attorney’s Office, all the six suspects are believed to be natives of Bosnia who had immigrated to the US as naturalized citizens or have refugees or legal resident status.
Federal agents had been tracking the suspects from 2013 to 2014. The Federal agents learnt that Ramiz and Sedina Hodzic were the point people for funneling money, guns and military equipment to Islamic State fighters in the Middle East. The husband /wife appeared for their initial appearance in the Federal Court on Friday evening.
According to Federal Investigators, Ramiz set up an account in St. Louis to collect close to $8,000. This included his personal money, cash from other suspects and third parties. Ramiz bought military equipment worth $2,400 from St Louis businesses. The wares included military uniforms, combat boots, tactical gear and firearms accessories then shipped them through the U.S. Postal Service to Turkey.
Ramiz had also transferred $7,700 cash between 2013 and 2014 through Western Union to Islamic State fighters, funneling it through Turkey, Bosnia and Saudi Arabia.
Ramiz Zijad Hodzic and Nihad Rosic are both charged with conspiring to kill and maim persons in a foreign country.
The United Bosnian Association sent a statement saying: We as a community are in shock and condemn any acts of terrorism as well as supporting any of it. As with any group of people there are some that do harmful things to society, unfortunately we have those as well. As with any other criminals the law and the system will bring them to justice.
Ryan Harris
