Teen Held For Trying To Aid IS

Houston: A Houston 18-year-old has been arrested and charged with illegally distributing explosive- making information and attempting to support the Islamic State organization.

The US Justice Department has said that Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, a US citizen, was arrested on December 8 following an undercover FBI operation. A statement says Damlarkaya said he intended to travel overseas and fight for IS and said he tried to get to Syria twice. He told agents that he would commit a US attack if efforts to travel overseas failed.

It also says Damlarkaya provided to alleged IS supporters a formula for explosive Triacetone Triperoxide and instructions how to use it in a pressure cooker device containing shrapnel.

If convicted, he faces a possible 20-year maximum prison term. The US has designated IS as a terrorist organisation.

PTI