According to the complaint, both defendants referenced ISIS during interactions with investigators.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Federal prosecutors have charged two men accused of attempting to detonate explosive devices during a protest near Gracie Mansion in New York City, alleging the suspects also expressed support for ISIS, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday, Fox News reported.
Authorities say Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi attempted to set off two apparent improvised explosive devices during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” protest and a nearby counter-protest on Saturday close to the residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Laboratory screening of one device found the presence of triacetone triperoxide, known as TATP, a highly unstable explosive that has been used in several terrorist attacks over the past decade, prosecutors said in the complaint.
The men were arrested and later appeared Monday at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in downtown Manhattan.
They were brought into court wearing handcuffs and shackles. A preliminary hearing has been set for April 8.
According to the complaint, both defendants referenced ISIS during interactions with investigators.
Police body camera footage captured Kayumi responding “ISIS” when officers asked why he carried out the attack, prosecutors said.
Authorities also allege that Balat later wrote a message stating he “pledge[d] allegiance [sic] to the Islamic State.”
Investigators further say Balat told authorities after his arrest that he and Kayumi had planned an operation “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing,” referring to the 2013 attack that killed three people and wounded more than 500 others.
Federal prosecutors charged the men with five offenses: 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.
Following a news conference held by the NYPD and the Justice Department announcing the indictments, Mamdani confirmed the charges in a public statement.
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