Two Pennsylvania men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal terrorism charges stemming from an alleged plot to detonate homemade bombs at an anti-Islam protest outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both from the Philadelphia area, entered the pleas during a brief appearance in federal court in Manhattan on April 15.
Prosecutors allege the two drove from Pennsylvania to Manhattan on March 7 intending to attack protesters gathered in front of Gracie Mansion, throwing two jar-sized devices that failed to detonate. The men subsequently told police they were inspired by the Islamic State group and now face charges that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.
According to a federal complaint, Balat and Kayumi traveled to Manhattan to target a demonstration organized in front of Gracie Mansion by Jake Lang, a far-right activist and critic of Mayor Mamdani. Mamdani is the first Muslim to hold the office of New York City mayor.
Prosecutors say the two threw two devices packed with the explosive TATP and shrapnel. Both bombs failed to detonate, no one was injured, and the pair were quickly detained. The mayor and his wife were not at the residence at the time, prosecutors said.
A recording from the vehicle’s dashcam captured Balat and Kayumi describing a plan to kill as many as 60 people in an effort to “start terror,” according to prosecutors. The two later told police they were inspired by the Islamic State group, the federal complaint states.
Balat’s attorney declined to comment after the hearing. Attorneys for Kayumi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Their next court date is June 16.