The Daily Populous Thursday April 9th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by theguardian.com and submitted by tonic613

Two teen alleged Islamic State supporters accused of trying to detonate explosive devices during a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, freely discussed how many people they might kill, with one remarking: “I want to start terror, bro,” according to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

The teenagers, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested on 7 March for allegedly igniting two improvised explosive devices during an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion. Authorities claim that Balat, 18, lit one device and threw it in the direction of the protesters.

Kayumi, 19, then gave Balat another device, court papers stated. Balat allegedly dropped this second device near several police officers and tried to flee; he and Kayumi were arrested shortly thereafter.

The eight-count indictment includes charges such as conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.

They are also charged in the indictment with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, carrying of explosives during the commission of a federal felony, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

View image in fullscreen A man identified as Emir Balat throws an alleged handmade explosive at a rightwing protest outside Gracie Mansion on 7 March. Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters

Prosecutors have claimed that Balat and Kayumi drove from Pennsylvania to the New York protest site carrying the bombs. On that day, the far-right provocateur Jake Lang and some 20 supporters were planning to protest in a demonstration called Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City.

Around noon, they arrived at the protest site, which also played host to an anti-Lang counter-protest. The indictment claims that dashboard camera video in their car recorded them freely discussing potential casualties.

Kayumi allegedly told Balat: “All I know is I want to start terror, bro” and “I want to petrify these people.”

Balat allegedly said he “calculated it” and that their plan was “gonna kill about 8 to 16 people” or up to 60 victims if the protest was heavily attended, court papers citing the dash-cam video claimed.

“Just can’t wait for that bomb to go off and his [Individual-1’]s’ freaking head, his body to get split in half, bro, dead,” Balat allegedly said.

View image in fullscreen Ibrahim Kayumi being detained by New York police department officers outside Gracie Mansion. Photograph: Madison Swart/Reuters

Kayumi allegedly said of this apparent target: “He hasn’t posted anything [on social media] yet” and “bro, this is so cool.”

While being taken to the police precinct, Balat allegedly said: “This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk bad about … our prophet. We take action! We take action!

“If I don’t do it, someone else will come and do it,” he is also accused of saying.

Balat allegedly waived his right to stay silent. At the precinct, he purportedly wrote on a piece of paper: “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar! Emir B.”

Prosecutors said Kayumi also waived his rights and noted he consumed “radical content” online.

Balat and Kayumi are expected to be arraigned on 15 April. Attorneys representing Balat and Kayumi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

PLaTinuM_HaZe on April 8th, 2026 at 23:06 UTC »

Imagine being 18 years old and thinking “I should just throw the rest of my life down the drain!” As if there was any way they wouldn’t be apprehended.

THElaytox on April 8th, 2026 at 21:57 UTC »

"I want to start terror bro"

Great, a new generation of brainrotted terrorists

Lonely_Noyaaa on April 8th, 2026 at 21:24 UTC »

The bombs didn't go off, which is the only reason we're not talking about a mass casualty event in Manhattan right now, TATP packed into an energy drink can thrown into a crowd. Thats not a prank gone wrong but the same explosive used in the London bombings and pure luck that nobody died.