OK - now in EDNY sentencing of Azizjon Rakhmatov, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS - from Connecticut, he funded trip to #Syria. Now Judge William F. Kuntz presiding. Inner City Press will live tweet - thread 
Judge Kuntz: Mr. Rakhmatov, are you ready to go forward today?
Rakhmatov: Yes.
Judge Kuntz: There is a statutory maximum of 15 years, no minimum, do you understand?
Rakhmatov: Yes.
Rakhmatov: Yes.
Judge Kuntz: There is a statutory maximum of 15 years, no minimum, do you understand?
Rakhmatov: Yes.
Judge Kuntz: There is offense level of 37. The defendant does not agree - says disregard Guideline sections, argues they are unconstitutional. Wants offense level of 26.
[Inner City Press: expect an appeal on this, depending on what sentence is imposed.]
[Inner City Press: expect an appeal on this, depending on what sentence is imposed.]
Defense: The government has no evidence that my client wants to kill non-Muslims. This is language that enflames the passions by fails in law (quoting another terrorism case]. Mr Rakhmatov's family in Uzbekistan is proud of him.
Defense: He thought his contributions were saving lives in Syria, not going to ISIS. But now the government wants to increase his sentencing from six years to 15 years. This terrorist enhancement, it is the offense of conviction.
[That'd be the grounds of appeal]
[That'd be the grounds of appeal]
Defense: Mr. Rakhmatov does not dress like a jihadi... According to Doctor Sageman, Mr. Rakhmatov condemns terrorism. But now he faces this enhancement.
Now defense lawyer says, Syria's is not a government, it is a state sponsor of terrorism. He asks, Did Congress intend the terrorism enhancement to be used in this case? My client only had a vague sense that Assad's regime should be resisted.
Defense: Mr Rakhmatov is a brilliant artist. Look at his jail house work, I don't know if you can see it. [Can't]. Look at the workmanship, it pops up. He only wants to do his art, to be with his family. See how it pops up.
Judge Kuntz: Yes, the court can see it.
Judge Kuntz: Yes, the court can see it.
Judge Kuntz has taken a five minute break.
Rakhmatov asks his lawyer Lawrence Stern to show another pop-up card to Judge Kuntz when he returns.
Rakhmatov says, Look at this one, Larry.
Stern: I don't think we can spend the whole day on an art show.
Rakhmatov asks his lawyer Lawrence Stern to show another pop-up card to Judge Kuntz when he returns.
Rakhmatov says, Look at this one, Larry.
Stern: I don't think we can spend the whole day on an art show.
AUSA: This is about a defendant who provided an armed fighter to fight on behalf of ISIS.
[Judge reads the underlying paragraph: the $400 was to fund travel to and expenses in Syria of a fighter.]
[Judge reads the underlying paragraph: the $400 was to fund travel to and expenses in Syria of a fighter.]
Judge Kuntz tells Stern: I remember the plea allocution. Not to criticize my colleagues, but I always take my own pleas, so I can hear them.
Now Rakhmatov himself: "I cannot bring the time back. I am really sorry."
That's all he says.
Judge Kuntz: Perfect justice is not possible.
That's all he says.
Judge Kuntz: Perfect justice is not possible.
Judge Kuntz sentenced Rakhmatov to:
150 months in prison
Lifetime supervised release.
story later
150 months in prison
Lifetime supervised release.
story later
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