The US Justice Department has charged two suspects, Dallas Erin Humber and Matthew Robert Allison, with leading a transnational terrorist group known as Terrorgram Collective. Using the social media app Telegram, the defendants allegedly solicited hate crimes, encouraged violence against minorities, government officials, and critical infrastructure in the US. The two men were arrested and face federal charges in California, including soliciting hate crimes, distributing bomb-making instructions, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
The indictment accuses the suspects of transmitting bomb-making instructions, distributing a list of assassination targets, and celebrating acts of violence on the social media platform. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen emphasized the danger posed by the group and the Justice Department’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for bias-motivated violence.
The charges come as political violence concerns are increasing ahead of the upcoming US presidential election. The suspects’ actions, including urging followers to “Take Action Now” and “Do your part,” highlight the growing prevalence of online radicalization and the risks associated with it. The Justice Department’s announcement underscores the government’s efforts to address extremist threats, even when individuals attempt to hide behind computer screens. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, was recently detained by French authorities for the platform’s alleged use in criminal activities, although he denies any wrongdoing.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com