2 men plead not guilty in alleged Islamic State-inspired bomb attempt
outside New York mayor’s home
[April 16, 2026]
NEW YORK (AP) — Two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges
they brought homemade bombs to an anti-Islam protest outside the New
York City’s mayor’s home in a failed attempt at a terror attack inspired
by the Islamic State group.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, entered the pleas during a brief
appearance in federal court in Manhattan.
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From left, defense attorney Mehdi Essmidi, defendant Emir Balat, defense
attorney Michael Arthus and defendant Ibrahim Kayumi wait for the start
of arraignment proceedings in Manhattan federal court in New York,
March, 9, 2026, on charges that include attempting to provide material
support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass
destruction in New York after Balat and Kayumi were arrested for
bringing and throwing explosives at a protest two days earlier.
(Elizabeth Williams via AP, File) |
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The two, who are both from the Philadelphia area, face charges
that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign
terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.
Prosecutors say Balat and Kayumi drove from their home state to
Manhattan in order to attack a March 7 anti-Islam demonstration
in front of Gracie Mansion. The protest was hosted by Jake Lang,
a far-right activist and critic of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the
first Muslim to hold the office.
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the
explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to
detonate. No one was injured and the two were quickly detained.
The mayor and his wife were not home at the time.
Balat and Kayumi later told police they were inspired by the
Islamic State group, according to a federal complaint. The two
were also recorded on their vehicle's dashcam describing their
plan to kill as many as 60 people in a bid to “start terror,"
according to prosecutors.
Balat's lawyer declined to comment after the hearing. Kayumi's
attorneys didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking
comment. Their next court date is June 16.
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