Man sentenced in the US to 25 years in prison for stabbing an FBI agent on behalf of Islamic State

MADRID, 1 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

A US federal judge has sentenced Fareed Mumuni to 25 years in prison for stabbing an FBI agent on behalf of Islamic State, after the prosecution called for a reconsideration of 17 previous sentences, saying it was "shockingly low."

The attack occurred on July 25, 2015 when a group of FBI agents carried out a search warrant at the defendant's home in Staten Island (New York) after discovering his intentions to travel to Syria and join the Islamic State, details the Courthouse News Service agency.

After the attack, Mumuni pleaded guilty in 2018 to attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to support a terrorist group. Repentance and confession led to Judge Margo Brodie -- the same one who has now extended the sentence -- to impose a 17-year sentence.

However, the 25 years are far from the 85 requested by the prosecution, which considers Mumuni's attack as "unquestionably a premeditated, voluntary and deliberate attempt to assassinate a federal officer on behalf of the Islamic State" and therefore an "attack terrorist".

Brodie has taken into account the courses and the degree in sociology that the defendant has been studying since he was imprisoned, with the aim of "helping others avoid making the same mistakes", as he has paraphrased.

During the trial, the defendant has assured that he knew "immediately" that what he did "was crazy", and that "it was wrong". "I'm not making excuses for anything I've done. I'm asking everyone's forgiveness." For his part, the victim, Officer Kevin Coughlin, said Mumuni undoubtedly tried to kill him.