ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In the ongoing terrorism trial of a Virginia man, defense attorneys outlined a scenario in which their client, Mohammed Chhipa, a 35-year-old from Springfield, became a target of FBI sting operations while pursuing personal relationships, including interacting with an undercover operative posing as a potential spouse.
During the first day of court proceedings in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, prosecutors presented their case against Chhipa, alleging that he had multiple meetings with the operative who funneled hundreds of dollars to him, which he would then convert into Bitcoin and forward to accounts in Turkey associated with the Islamic State group, particularly for a woman known as Umm Dujanah.
Prosecutor Andrew Dixon detailed how Chhipa allegedly transferred over $74,000 to assist women affiliated with the Islamic State escape from prison camps. This was part of his broader goal to support the Islamic State after its defeat in Iraq and Syria. Dixon further asserted that Chhipa understood the illegality of his actions and had even attempted to flee the United States at one point, only to be returned later. Chhipa reportedly expressed confusion during surveillance about why he had not yet faced charges.
Chhipa’s defense attorney, Zachary Deubler, contended that for years the FBI had monitored Chhipa mainly due to his extremist beliefs expressed on social media. However, Deubler claimed that despite a thorough investigation, including a home search in 2019 that revealed Islamic State materials, FBI agents had never found sufficient grounds to arrest him.
Deubler confirmed that Chhipa did leave the U.S. through Latin America in an attempt to reach Egypt, but when he returned to Dulles International Airport, he was questioned but not detained. The defense attorney argued that the FBI’s entrapment tactics escalated, going as far as introducing a fake bride and callously setting up meetings with a supposed marriage broker. Deubler characterized Chhipa as a lonely individual who fell victim to the government’s intense strategies.
The trial commenced with several unusual incidents. Chhipa appeared wearing a green jail jumpsuit because he declined to utilize civilian clothing typically offered to defendants. This attire risked a biased perception from the jury. Moreover, when the court clerk called for all present to stand, Chhipa’s family remained seated, prompting U.S. District Judge David Novak to threaten to take them into custody if they did not comply, although no arrests occurred.
Additionally, after his arrest, prosecutors disclosed details about Chhipa’s claimed marriage to Allison Fluke-Ekren, an American sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading a female battalion in the Islamic State that trained about 100 women and girls in the use of weapons and explosives. While Chhipa reportedly views this online marriage as legitimate, prosecutors argue it lacks legal standing in the U.S., and he has been attempting to adopt Fluke-Ekren’s children.
The proceedings are anticipated to continue for approximately one week.
