Doctor Sentenced to 27 Months for Joining ISIS After October 7
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
A Beersheba court sentenced Dr. Mohammed Azam, a former Soroka Hospital doctor, to 27 months in prison for joining ISIS after the October 7th attacks. He was convicted of consuming terrorist propaganda for years and possessing bomb-making manuals. The court cited his radicalization, wartime allegiance to ISIS, and potential risk as a doctor. His medical license is under review.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dr. Mohammed Azam received a 27-month prison sentence for joining ISIS.
- The doctor swore allegiance to ISIS after the October 7th attacks.
- He consumed ISIS propaganda and possessed bomb-making manuals for years.
- His medical license is being reviewed by the Ministry of Health.
- The court cited his radicalization and potential risk as a doctor.
A Beersheba Magistrate's Court has sentenced Dr. Mohammed Azam, a doctor formerly employed at Soroka Hospital, to 27 months in prison for membership in the ISIS terrorist organization. The court found that Azam underwent a years-long ideological radicalization process, swore allegiance to ISIS's leader after the October 7th attacks, and possessed manuals for preparing explosives and poisons.
According to the ruling, Azam systematically consumed ISIS propaganda from 2014 until his arrest in July 2024. His identification with the terrorist group deepened over the years, culminating in his decision to join its ranks and pledge loyalty after the October 7th massacre. The court determined that his actions were not mere curiosity but indicated a profound and ongoing radicalization, including the development of operational capabilities.
The judge emphasized the severity of the circumstances, including the duration of his radicalization, the extent of the terrorist content he accumulated, his joining ISIS during wartime, and the potential risk posed by his role as a doctor in a public hospital treating wounded civilians and soldiers. The prosecution had sought a lengthy prison sentence, stressing the need for a deterrent punishment for terrorism offenses.
In addition to the prison time, Azam was given a 12-month suspended sentence and fined 15,000 shekels. His details have been forwarded to the Ministry of Health for consideration of revoking his medical license due to the gravity of his actions.
