Federal authorities announced on Mar. 9 charges against Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, alleging that the two attempted to detonate explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
The case is significant because it involves alleged acts of terrorism inspired by ISIS at a public protest in New York City. Officials said the suspects sought to cause mass casualties and instill fear among the public.
“As alleged, on Saturday, March 7, during protests taking place outside Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi attempted to detonate two improvised explosive devices amongst the protesters,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Moreover, after being apprehended by NYPD officers, both Balat and Kayumi stated they were aligned with ISIS. Free speech and peaceable assembly are the bedrock of American democracy. Violence is not protected speech, and it’s not protected protest. In New York, violence—particularly acts of terror—will be met with swift justice. This investigation remains ongoing, and we encourage anyone with further information to please contact tips.fbi.gov online or 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said: “This was an alleged ISIS-inspired act of terrorism that could have killed American citizens. 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.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added: “These men allegedly sought to inflict mass casualties in service to ISIS with the hope of exceeding the carnage of the Boston Marathon bombing… Thanks to the quick investigative work by federal law enforcement, this Department of Justice will prosecute these men…to the fullest extent.”
According to officials, Balat ignited and threw one device toward protesters before receiving a second device from Kayumi; he then dropped it near NYPD officers before being apprehended along with Kayumi. Both men reportedly made statements aligning themselves with ISIS following their arrests.
A preliminary examination found that one device contained TATP—a highly volatile explosive known as “Mother of Satan”—and both had nuts and bolts attached for maximum harm potential. Law enforcement also recovered materials related to bomb-making from a vehicle linked to Balat’s family.
Balat and Kayumi face multiple federal charges including attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization (maximum sentence: 20 years), use of a weapon of mass destruction (life in prison), transportation and receipt of explosives (10 years each), and unlawful possession of destructive devices (10 years). Sentencing will be determined by a judge if there is a conviction.
The investigation involved cooperation between several agencies including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and NYPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan L. Bodansky and Jane Y. Chong.
