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A suspect in the New York City terror protest attack near Gracie Mansion allegedly planned an assault “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing,” federal prosecutors said in a criminal complaint Monday.
Emir Balat allegedly made the statement after his arrest. Prosecutors say he told investigators that he and co-defendant Ibrahim Kayumi wanted to stage an attack exceeding the 2013 bombing that killed three people and injured more than 500 others.
The complaint alleges that on Saturday, Balat and Kayumi attempted to detonate two apparent explosive devices during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” protest and counter-protest near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence.
Preliminary testing indicates that at least one device contained triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a highly volatile explosive used in multiple terrorist attacks over the past decade.
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Emir Balat (left) and Ibrahim Kayumi (right) were arrested in New York City on March 7, 2026, in connection to an explosive thrown at a protest outside of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images; REUTERS/Madison Swart)
Both men allegedly made statements referencing ISIS, with Kayumi captured on NYPD bodycam footage responding “ISIS” when asked why he carried out the attack, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors said Balat also later wrote on a piece of paper that he “pledge[d] allegiance [sic] to the Islamic State.”
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The two defendants face five federal charges: attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization; use of a weapon of mass destruction; transportation of explosive materials; interstate transportation and receipt of explosives; and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
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Balat and Kayumi appeared in handcuffs and shackles at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in downtown Manhattan on Monday.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8.