NEW YORK — Two Pennsylvania men inspired by the Islamic State group pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal terrorism charges in connection with an attempted bombing during a protest outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence at Gracie Mansion, prosecutors said.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, entered the pleas during an arraignment in federal court in Manhattan on an eight-count indictment. The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, and transportation of explosive materials, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The incident occurred on March 7 during protests outside the mayor’s official residence. Authorities allege the two men traveled from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, carrying homemade explosive devices packed with triacetone triperoxide, or TATP. The devices were thrown toward the crowd but failed to detonate, and no one was injured, officials said.
Federal prosecutors said the men told authorities after their arrest that they were inspired by ISIS and had discussed causing mass casualties, with one reportedly expressing a desire to “start terror.” Dashcam recordings captured the pair discussing their plans, according to court documents. Balat allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a written statement.
The suspects were taken into custody shortly after the incident. They have been held without bail since then.
“As alleged, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi traveled to New York City with IEDs to kill as many people as possible in an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. said in a statement when charges were announced.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, with assistance from the FBI, NYPD and other agencies. Defense attorneys have not publicly commented on the specifics of the allegations beyond entering the not guilty pleas.
The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for June 16.
As of Thursday, the defendants remained in federal custody. Details of any potential plea negotiations or trial timeline were not immediately available.
