Tisch: Improvised explosive used in protest incident 'investigated as act of ISIS-inspired terrorism’
The incident occurred during a rally called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” and a nearby counter protest named “Run the Nazis Out of New York City — Stand Against Hate.”
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NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Zohran Mamdani provided an update Monday on the chaotic weekend of protests that culminated with an explosive being thrown near Gracie Mansion.
The incident occurred during a rally called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” and a nearby counterprotest named “Run the Nazis Out of New York City — Stand Against Hate.”
Investigators say an 18-year-old counterprotester lit and tossed the explosive device toward the area. They say that same person later received a second device from another man and lit it, but he dropped it before it ignited.
Tisch stated during Monday’s press conference that “this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.”
“Devices like these have the potential to cause devastating harm,” she explained. “We were fortunate that the devices used this weekend did not cause the kind of harm that they were certainly capable of causing.”
Mamdani also spoke, thanking the officers who apprehended the suspects and protected the public.
“I want to commend the officers who were on site, they faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could have become far more dangerous,” Mamdani said. “New York City will never tolerate violence, whether from protests or counterprotests.”
A five-count indictment was unsealed Monday afternoon against the defendants, including charges of attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
According to the indictment, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi attempted to detonate two apparent explosive devices in the vicinity of Gracie Mansion on March 7.
Preliminary results from testing of one of the devices indicates that it contained a quantity of triacetone triperoxide, a highly volatile explosive material used in multiple terrorist attacks over the last decade.
The indictment says Balat and Kayumi both made statements referring to ISIS after NYPD officers arrested them.
In the unsealed indictment, it was also revealed that Balat "pledged allegiance to the Islamic State."
In addition, Kayumi stated in part that he was affiliated with ISIS, watched ISIS propaganda and was partly inspired to carry out his actions that day by ISIS.
