The Latest: Attorney: Man accused of IS aims needs support

NEW YORK – The Latest on the prosecution of a New York man accused of repeatedly travelling to the Middle East to try to join the Islamic State or another extremist group (all times local):

2:45 p.m.

A lawyer for a New York man accused of repeatedly travelling to the Middle East to try to join the Islamic State or another extremist group says “what he needs is counselling and support, not imprisonment.”

Attorney Mildred Whalen notes that the case against Elvis Redzepagic is in early stages, but she says that he’s an American citizen and that he’s been fully co-operative with law enforcement.

Redzepagic is being held without bail after appearing in a Brooklyn federal court Saturday. The 26-year-old U.S. citizen is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Prosecutors say the Commack (KOH’-mak) resident travelled to Turkey in July 2015 and tried to cross the border, then went to Jordan with the same goal last August.

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1:15 p.m.

Prosecutors say a New York man repeatedly travelled to the Middle East to try to join the Islamic State or al-Nusra Front extremist groups and told authorities he’d been prepared to sacrifice himself for jihad.

Elvis Redzepagic is being held without bail after appearing in a Brooklyn federal court Saturday. The 26-year-old U.S. citizen is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

His lawyer hasn’t immediately responded to an email seeking comment. There was no immediate answer to phone or email messages to Redzepagic’s relatives.

Prosecutors say the Commack (KOH’-mak) resident communicated with a cousin he believed was an extremist fighter in Syria, then travelled to Turkey in July 2015 and tried to cross the border. Prosecutors say he then went to Jordan last August.

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Noon

Prosecutors say a New York man repeatedly travelled to the Middle East to try to join the Islamic State or al-Nusra Front extremist groups and told authorities he’d been prepared to sacrifice himself for jihad.

Elvis Redzepagic was due in a Brooklyn federal court Saturday. The 26-year-old U.S. citizen is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

It’s not immediately clear whether the Commack (KOH’-mak) resident has a lawyer who can comment on the charges. There was no immediate answer to phone or email messages to his relatives.

Prosecutors say Redzepagic communicated with someone he thought was an extremist fighter in Syria, then travelled to Turkey in July 2015 and repeatedly tried to cross the border. Prosecutors say he then travelled to Jordan last August.