The Department of Justice reports that six Pennsylvania people are facing hate crime charges in connection with an attack on a Jewish man in Pittsburgh.
The defendants named in the indictment are Muhammed Koc, 27, of Pittsburgh; Omar Alshmari, 28, of Monroeville; Abraham Choudhry, 22, of Monroeville; Emirhan Arslan, 24, of McKees Rocks; Ali Alkhaleel, 19, of Pittsburgh; and Adeel Piracha, 22, of Murrysville.
According to the indictment, the defendants, with the exception of Piracha, were part of a group that made antisemitic remarks to a passerby in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood after noticing the alleged victim’s Star of David pendant. Following an argument, Koc and Alshmari physically assaulted the victim.
The unnamed victim allegedly experienced discomfort, a split lip, and “headaches,” according to the indictment.
“The FBI’s work to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution includes the assurance to every single American that they are allowed to practice their religion without fear of harm,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “These defendants were not only charged for the alleged violence but also the additional act of obstructing justice. The FBI and its partners will simply not allow that to happen without consequence.”
A federal grand jury indicted the six for violating Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
The charges could result in years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
Antisemitic incidents have surged considerably since the start of the Gaza conflict, however they fell marginally last year from a peak reached shortly after Hamas’ onslaught on Israel on October 7, 2023.
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