New York — Two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the charges against them Brought home-made bombs to an anti-Islam demonstration outside the New York City mayor’s home in a failed attempt to carry out an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack.
Amir Balat (18 years old) and Ibrahim Kiyomi (19 years old) submitted their request during a brief appearance in federal court in Manhattan.
The two, 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 Kiyomi drove from their home state to Manhattan for the March 7 attack. Anti-Islam demonstration In front of Gracie Palace. The protest was hosted by Jake Lange, a far-right activist and critic of Mayor Zahran Mamdani, the first Muslim to hold the position.
Prosecutors say the two men threw two packages containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs did not explode. No one was injured and the two were quickly arrested. The mayor and his wife were not home at the time.
Balat and Kiyomi later told police that they were inspired by ISIS, according to A Federal complaint. The two were also recorded on their car cameras describing their plan to kill up to 60 people in an attempt to “start terrorism,” according to prosecutors.
Balat’s lawyer declined to comment after the hearing. Kayomi’s lawyers did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Their next court date is June 16.