BREAKING:

Federal grand jury indicts 8 University of Michigan-associated individuals for their roles in conspiracies to threaten U of M leaders, law enforcement, businesses, and Jewish institutions following Hamas’s October 7 atrocities over alleged ties to Israel.

Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, Paige Elizabeth Feyock, Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, Jonathan Hongru Zou, Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, Mariam Muhammed Odeh, and Colin Hunter Weger face up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for conspiring to transmit a threat. Hakim and Feyock are also charged with witness intimidation, a crime that carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Sepulveda is also charged with destruction of property to prevent seizure, and faces up to 5 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine for that crime.

US Department of Justice: “According to the indictment, on October 20, 2023, the defendants publicly posted a list of demands on social media directed at University of Michigan leadership. Among the demands, they required the University to make a “full and complete divestment” from Israel and any businesses supporting Israel. Unsatisfied by the University’s response, the defendants “prepared to take action” against the leadership by what they called “autonomous actions,” which included forcibly entering and occupying University of Michigan buildings, defacing buildings, and blocking and disrupting events on campus. They also posted threats on the internet that included photos of their “autonomous actions.”

The defendants also allegedly held meetings to identify targets of their “autonomous actions.” They used the internet to research personal addresses, photographs, political and social connections, business ownership, and other personal details of the targets. They also discussed methods by which to harm the targets and their families, including poison, bombs, and psychological torture. For example, on May 21, 2024, Feyock and then-medical student Korkaya agreed to “kill,” “torment,” and “terrorize” their targets and families.  Referring to one victim, Korkaya stated his “entire family” was on his “hit list” Feyock added that they should “get” the “kids” of two victims.  Korkaya, referring to another victim, stated, “I’m gonna be the dirtiest f------- doctor ever / I’m gonna be [victim’s] doctor / poison her a-- slowly.” Feyock agreed, “We need people following [victim] / get into that house then burn it down.”

As part of the conspiracy, the defendants are alleged to have traveled at night to the targeted homes and businesses. They damaged and defaced homes and businesses with spray-painted messages, threats, and symbols, including inverted triangles, which Hamas has used in its military videos to mark targets for death; red handprints, which Hamas has used to symbolize the Ramallah Lynching of 2000 and the murder of two Israeli military reservists during the Second Intifada; and phrases such as “INTIFADA” and “DIVEST NOW.” The defendants also left demand notes containing additional threats, caulked doors shut, bike-locked entryways, broke windows, and threw glass jars filled with butyric acid and dye into the homes. The defendants took photographs of the destruction and posted the photos online with “official statements” and additional warnings and threats, such as “you cannot hide” and “we only come back stronger.””