Two teenagers have been charged in the United States with terrorism-related offences after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices during an anti-Islam protest outside the New York mayor’s residence.
Federal prosecutors said the incident occurred on Saturday outside Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, during a demonstration organised by right-wing activists. New York mayor Zohran Mamdani and his family were not at home at the time.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the southern district of New York, 18-year-old Emir Balat threw two explosive devices at protesters after receiving them from 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi. Prosecutors said both men expressed allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Neither device exploded and both were safely neutralised by the New York Police Department bomb squad. The suspects, who travelled from Pennsylvania, were arrested shortly after arriving in the city and were due to be arraigned on Monday.
The complaint lists five charges against each defendant, including attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, use of a weapon of mass destruction, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
Police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices contained triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, a highly unstable homemade explosive sometimes referred to as the “mother of Satan”.
“These were not hoax devices or smoke bombs,” Tisch said. “They were improvised explosive devices that could have caused serious injury or death.”
She confirmed the case was being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism. Tisch added that investigators were aware of recent international travel by the suspects but declined to provide further details.
Neither Balat nor Kayumi had a prior criminal record or previous encounters with law enforcement, according to police.
An FBI agent assigned to the joint terrorism task force said Balat ignited and threw the first device shortly after midday. After fleeing, he received a second device from Kayumi, ignited it, and dropped it near several police officers before attempting to escape. He was tackled and arrested at the scene.
After their arrests, Balat reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, while Kayumi said his actions were partly inspired by the group. Prosecutors said Balat told investigators he wanted the attack to be “even bigger” than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Mayor Mamdani praised police officers for their swift response, saying their actions prevented serious harm.
“New York City will never tolerate violence, whether from protests or counter-protests,” he said. “While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen.”
He added that anti-Muslim bigotry was a reality faced by many residents, but said the majority of counter-protesters responded peacefully.
Six people were arrested at the protest, which saw several violent clashes, including pepper-spraying and the throwing of eggs, according to local media reports.
Tisch said police were already on heightened alert due to recent international tensions, but stressed there was no evidence linking the incident to overseas conflicts.
A third device, consistent with the first two, was later found in a vehicle linked to the suspects. It was removed by the police and tested negative for explosives.
The investigation remains ongoing.
