Washington, DC - The Department of State has designated Maghomed Maghomedzakirovich Abdurakhmanov as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions and penalties on terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. As a result of this designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Abdurakhmanov has any interest is blocked and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Abdurakhmanov.

Abdurakhmanov was also added to the UN 1267/1989 al-Qaida Sanctions List, requiring all member states to implement an assets freeze, a travel ban, and an arms embargo against Maghomed Maghomedzakirovich Abdurakhmanov.

Abdurakhmanov was accused of beheading three individuals in Syria and was subsequently arrested by Turkish authorities in July 2013. In July 2015, a Turkish court sentenced him and an associate to seven and a half years in prison for being members of a terrorist organization.

The imposition of sanctions by the United States against terrorists is a powerful tool. Today’s action notifies the U.S. public and the international community that Maghomed Maghomedzakirovich Abdurakhmanov was actively engaged in terrorism. Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and other governments.