Two young men from the Philadelphia area have denied federal terrorism charges in connection with an alleged bomb plot targeting New York City’s mayor’s residence.
Emir Balat, age 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, age 19, appeared in Manhattan federal court Wednesday where they entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them.
Federal prosecutors allege the pair traveled from Philadelphia to New York City with the intention of attacking participants at an anti-Islam rally held March 7th outside Gracie Mansion. The demonstration was organized by Jake Lang, a far-right activist who has criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor.
According to the government’s case, both defendants are charged with attempting to support a foreign terrorist organization and deploying weapons of mass destruction.
Court documents indicate Balat and Kayumi hurled two improvised explosive devices filled with TATP explosive material and metal fragments at the protest site, though the jar-shaped bombs never exploded. Authorities detained both suspects immediately after the incident, and no injuries occurred. The mayor and his spouse were away from the residence during the attack.
Federal investigators say the defendants later admitted to police that ISIS ideology motivated their actions. Prosecutors also revealed that dashboard camera footage from their vehicle captured the pair discussing plans to kill up to 60 individuals in order to “start terror.”
Defense counsel for Balat refused to provide statements following Wednesday’s court session. Legal representatives for Kayumi have not yet responded to requests for comment. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court on June 16th.
