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Two suspects charged with throwing improvised explosive devices during a protest at Gracie Mansion voluntarily told law enforcement their March 7 attack stemmed from support of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization.

Federal prosecutors say Emir Balat, 18 and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both of Pennsylvania, threw the IEDs during an anti-Islamic demonstration. The suspected explosives did not detonate and did not injure anyone present. The two now face up to life in prison if convicted, officials say.

Here are some facts gathered by the AmNews so far from official sources: 

  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji reside at the mansion, but were not there at the time of the attack. “Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,” said Mamdani in a statement. “They should be held fully accountable for their actions. We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.”
DOJ photo of Gracie Mansion attacker. Credit: U.S. Department of Justice
  • The attack took place during an anti-Muslim demonstration led by right-wing activist and pardoned Jan. 6 rioter Jake Lang. Though poorly attended, it attracted a larger number of counterprotesters. According to the Justice Department, Balat and Kayumi allegedly tossed one device into a rally and another at nearby NYPD officers. They were both arrested shortly afterward.
  • Officials say the alleged explosives were the size of a mason jar, with an attached fuse on top. A preliminary analysis found the first device allegedly contained TATP, an explosive commonly found in IEDs. A third suspected device was later recovered in a car registered under a family member of Balat’s. Police also found a notebook with writings about TATP in the vehicle.
  • The NYPD performed controlled detonations of the suspected IEDs, which “revealed a significant explosion.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that the two suspects did not have a previous criminal record.
  • According to Tisch, Balat and Kayumi allegedly arrived in New York City roughly just an hour before police arrested them for the attack according to a George Washington Bridge license reader ping. The NYPD redirected press inquiries to the Southern District of New York, which will prosecute the case and did not return calls for a request to comment.

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