Six people have been charged with a hate crime after a Jewish University of Pittsburgh student was attacked for wearing a Star of David necklace in September 2024.
The U.S. Department of Justice says six people, 27-year-old Muhammed Koc, 28-year-old Omar Alshmari, 22-year-old Abraham Choudhry, 24-year-old Emirhan Arslan, 19-year-old Ali Alkhaleel and 22-year-old Adeel Piracha have been charged by a federal grand jury for violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
They are also charged with obstructing justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice after the attack on the man in Oakland.
The victim was walking near Semple and Ward Streets after 2 a.m. when he saw the group.
They reportedly made antisemitic comments to the victim and following a verbal confrontation, physically attacked, causing the man to spit his lip, among other injuries.
The incident was eventually broken up by a bystander in the area.
Members of the group continued to talk about the attack through social media messaging and group chats throughout the following months.
Both Alshmari and Koc admitted to being involved in the attack.
“As alleged in the Indictment, this incident began with two defendants physically attacking an individual because of the victim’s Jewish identity,” said United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “Then, these defendants corruptly colluded with one another to provide false and misleading testimony before a federal grand jury tasked with investigating the assault. Obstruction is illegal and undermines the pursuit of justice; it will not be tolerated within our legal system, particularly when defendants testify falsely in an effort to protect individuals who commit hate crimes and acts of violence.”
If convicted the members of the group face several years in prison, along with heavy fines.
