Two Pennsylvania teenagers have been charged with federal terrorism offences after allegedly attempting to detonate improvised explosive devices during a volatile protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, were apprehended by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers on Saturday, 7 March 2026, after allegedly throwing volatile homemade bombs into a crowd.
Federal prosecutors confirmed on Monday that the pair face a range of grave charges, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
Police and federal investigators say the devices failed to detonate, preventing injuries and what could have been a far more serious attack.
The incident took place in Manhattan during a demonstration organised by far-right activists led by Jake Lang, who were protesting against Islam and the city's Muslim mayor.
According to court filings, the suspects reportedly travelled from Pennsylvania with the intent to incite mass casualties, with Balat allegedly telling investigators he hoped to orchestrate an attack 'bigger' than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
The quick intervention of officers on the scene prevented a potential catastrophe, as bomb disposal teams later confirmed the devices contained TATP, a highly volatile explosive colloquially known as the 'Mother of Satan'.
According toinvestigators, Balat allegedly threw at least one improvised explosive device towards the crowd after lighting it. Another device was also discovered nearby, and a third suspicious object was later recovered from a vehicle linked to the suspects.
Police revealed that the devices were reportedly packed with screws and bolts, which could have acted as shrapnel had they detonated. Fortunately, neither of the devices exploded, and bomb disposal teams were able to secure the area. Both suspects were arrested shortly afterwards and taken into federal custody. Officials confirmed that the investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism due to the alleged ideological motivations behind the attack.
Federal prosecutors say thesuspectsadmitted during questioning that they had been influenced by propaganda linked to the Islamic State terrorist group.
Source: International Business Times UK
