1 of 4 | Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, Pa., allegedly takes an improvised explosive device from Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown, Pa. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Two men who allegedly threw improvised devices at protesters outside the home of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have been charged with five terrorism-related crimes.
Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, Pa., and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown, Pa., were charged with attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices. They face up to life in prison.
The men allegedly threw improvised devices at anti-Islamic protesters on Saturday. The Department of Justice said that the men, who waived their Miranda rights, said they did it in support of ISIS.
The anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official home of the mayor of New York, was organized by people associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and far-right influencer, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. It was called, “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer.” Another group of about 100 people held a counter-protest called “Run the Nazis Out of New York/Stand Against Hate.”
The Justice Department alleged that about 12:15 p.m., Balat ignited and threw an explosive device toward the area where the protesters were gathered. He then ran down the block and took another device from Kayumi, then ignited it, tossed it and ran from New York Police officers and jumped over a barricade. Both men were soon tackled by police.
While on his way to the NYPD precinct, Balat allegedly told the officers: “This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet. … We take action! We take action!” He then allegedly said, “If I didn’t do it someone else will come and do it.”
At the precinct, he was given a piece of paper and pen, on which he allegedly wrote: “All praise is due to Allah, lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar! Emir B.”
“Kuffar” means “non-believers” or “infidels,” in Arabic.
Police later asked Balat if he was familiar with the Boston Marathon bombing, and if that was what he had hoped to accomplish.
“No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.”
Tisch said that Kayumi told police he watched ISIS propaganda on his phone.
According to the indictment, one of the explosives was named the “Mother of Satan.” Testing showed it contained triacetone triperoxide. It’s an explosive that has been used in multiple terrorist attacks, the FBI said.
Balat is a senior in high school but has only attended classes online this year.
The FBI has searched two homes and a storage facility in suburban Philadelphia, CBS News reported. CBS said that court documents show that Kayumi was reported missing by his mother the morning of the protest.
Another Philadelphia man was arrested at the protest. Ian McGinnis, 21, was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a noxious material (pepper spray).
NYPD sources told CBS News that McGinnis appeared to be a part of anti-Islam group. He was allegedly captured on video spraying pepper spray at counter-protesters. Three other people at the protest were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction.
“This was an alleged ISIS-inspired act of terrorism that could have killed American citizens,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation — our law enforcement officers will remain vigilant, as they were when these devices were brought to a protest.”
This week in Washington
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks to the press outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Earlier today, President Donald Trump announced Mullin would replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
