Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Federal authorities announced on Mar. 9 charges against Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, alleging they attempted to detonate two explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan on March 7. The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
The case is significant due to its alleged connection to ISIS and the potential for mass casualties at a public demonstration. According to officials, both suspects expressed support for ISIS after their arrest.
"As alleged, on Saturday, March 7, during protests taking place outside Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi attempted to detonate two improvised explosive devices amongst the protesters," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Moreover, after being apprehended by NYPD officers, both Balat and Kayumi stated they were aligned with ISIS. Free speech and peaceable assembly are the bedrock of American democracy. Violence is not protected speech, and it’s not protected protest. In New York, violence—particularly acts of terror—will be met with swift justice. This investigation remains ongoing, and we encourage anyone with further information to please contact tips.fbi.gov online or 1-800-CALL-FBI."
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said: "This was an alleged ISIS-inspired act of terrorism that could have killed American citizens. We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation—our law enforcement officers will remain vigilant, as they were when these devices were brought to a protest." Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added: "These men allegedly sought to inflict mass casualties in service to ISIS with the hope of exceeding the carnage of the Boston Marathon bombing... Thanks to the quick investigative work by federal law enforcement, this Department of Justice will prosecute these men...to the fullest extent." FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle Jr., said: "Balat and Kayumi sought to incite fear and mass suffering through this alleged attempted terror attack...the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force will not tolerate those who use violence against targets in New York City to broadcast their terrorist ideologies." NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: "This was an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism...The men and women of the NYPD will continue to stand watch over this city and selflessly run towards the danger to keep the public safe."
According to court documents described in the complaint, Balat threw one device into a crowd before receiving another from Kayumi; he then dropped it near police officers before being arrested along with Kayumi shortly thereafter. Both suspects reportedly made statements aligning themselves with ISIS following their arrests.
A preliminary examination found that one device contained TATP—a volatile explosive known as “Mother of Satan”—and was packed with nuts and bolts intended as shrapnel.
Balat (18) and Kayumi (19), both from Pennsylvania, face multiple federal charges including attempted provision of material support for a foreign terrorist organization (maximum sentence: 20 years), use of a weapon of mass destruction (life in prison), transportation of explosive materials (10 years), interstate transportation/receipt of explosives (10 years), and unlawful possession of destructive devices (10 years). Sentencing will be determined by a judge if convicted.
Jay Clayton praised efforts by multiple agencies involved in investigating this case—including local police departments and federal agencies—and noted that prosecution is being handled by his office's National Security Unit.
