Two teenagers from Pennsylvania have been charged in the United States after allegedly attempting to detonate improvised explosive devices during rival protests outside the official residence of the New York City mayor.
The US Department of Justice said Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown, were arrested on 7 March after allegedly throwing and attempting to ignite explosive devices near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Authorities allege the pair were acting in support of the jihadist group ISIS.
According to federal prosecutors, the incident unfolded during competing demonstrations outside the mayoral residence, including a protest opposing Muslim public prayer in New York City and a counter-protest organised in response.
Investigators allege Balat ignited and threw a device towards a crowd of protesters shortly after midday, before receiving a second device from Kayumi nearby.
The second device was allegedly ignited and dropped close to New York Police Department officers before Balat attempted to flee. Police tackled and arrested him moments later, while Kayumi was also detained at the scene. None of the devices exploded and no injuries were reported.
Attorney-General Pamela Bondi described the incident as an alleged ISIS-inspired terror attack that could have caused mass casualties. Federal authorities credited police officers with quickly intervening to prevent harm.
Investigators say both suspects made statements after their arrest indicating support for ISIS. According to the criminal complaint, Balat allegedly wrote a note pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group while in custody and told officers that if he had not carried out the attack, “someone else will come and do it”.
Kayumi allegedly responded “ISIS” when asked by a bystander why the attack had been carried out, and later told investigators that he had watched propaganda produced by the militant group and that it had partly influenced his actions.
The complaint also alleges that Balat told officers he had hoped to cause more casualties than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured more than 260.
A preliminary examination by an FBI bomb technician found the devices were roughly the size of mason jars with fuses attached and were wrapped in duct tape with nuts and bolts fixed to the exterior, apparently intended to act as shrapnel.
One device contained TATP, a volatile explosive sometimes referred to by investigators as the “Mother of Satan”, which has been used in several terrorist attacks.
Authorities later searched a vehicle linked to Balat and recovered what investigators described as bomb-making materials, including hobby fuse, a metal container similar to one used in the devices and a notebook containing handwritten references to explosive chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, sulphuric acid and acetone.
The FBI said that investigators also found explosive residue in a storage unit in Pennsylvania believed to be connected to the case, and carried out a controlled detonation of materials recovered there.
Surveillance footage obtained by investigators reportedly shows Balat purchasing a length of safety fuse at a fireworks store in Pennsylvania several days before the incident.
Both defendants face multiple federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, transporting explosives and using a weapon of mass destruction. The most serious charge carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment if they are convicted.
The allegations remain unproven and the defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing.
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