Isis: Texan linked to Islamic State lured back with tale of sick mother is arrested

A Texas man who authorities say was on his way to join up with Islamic State (Isis) was arrested after he was enticed back home with a false story that his mother was sick.

Asher Abid Khan, 20, of Houston, and a friend made arrangements to travel to Turkey and then on to Syria to wage jihad on behalf of Isis, according to a federal complaint filed against him, reports The Hill. Court documents said he asked a "foreign terrorist fighter facilitator" in Turkey via Facebook: "I wanna join Isis, can you help?"

His friend was arrested after travelling to Syria and tracked with the help of Facebook, according to authorities. However, Khan stayed with relatives in Australia for a while before moving on to Istanbul. He returned to Texas when he was told his mother was ill, said authorities.

He has been charged with conspiracy to provide material support to IS, according to the Justice Department. If convicted he could face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 (£162,500) fine.

He is the second Texas resident arrested in just over a week for alleged IS links. Bilal Abood, 37, was arrested for pledging support to IS and lying to the FBI about it, according to the criminal complaint against him.

An FBI agent testified that Abood was effectively a recruiter for IS because he sent graphic videos of beheadings and other atrocities to potential sympathisers, reports NBC-5 TV.

Earlier in May, two Texas gunmen with IS sympathies were shot dead during an attempted attack on a "Draw Mohammed" conference organised in Dallas by the conservative Freedom Defence Initiative as a "free speech" event.