Akayed Ullah, who was indicted on federal terrorism charges for a bombing in a New York City subway station last December, has pleaded not guilty.
The 27-year-old Bangladeshi migrant made his first physical appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday, reports the NBC News.
According to the report, Akayed spoke very little during his appearance in federal court.
Akayed, who was wearing blue jail-issued clothing, said he understood the terrorism charges against him.
When asked by a judge if he had a plea, he responded saying not guilty.
The report said prosecutors went over what sort of evidence they intend to present, including photographs of the scene, Akayed's statements to authorities after his arrest, fingerprints and the results of searches of his phone, financial and travel records, laptop, social media accounts, and home.
Also Read - Akayed Ullah indicted for New York subway bomb attack
Akayed detonated a homemade bomb strapped to his body at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on December 11, 2017. He and three others were injured in the attack.
During Wednesday’s indictment hearing, US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said the selection of time and place has made it clear that Akayed’s intention was to inflict as much damage as possible, and to strike fear into the hearts of New Yorkers in the name of Islamic State.
The indictment charges Akayed with material support of a terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction and four other related counts.
Akayed posted a warning to US President Donald Trump just before the attack.
“Trump you failed to protect your nation,” the Facebook post read.
After the blast, Akayed told police interviewers that “I did it for the Islamic State,” according to court papers filed by federal prosecutors.
According to the documents, he also told investigators that he had been motivated by American air strikes on Islamic State targets.
The complaint stated that Akayed had used materials that included Christmas lights to make the device and it was affixed to his body with Velcro straps.
Akayed immigrated to the US on a family visa in 2011. However, his wife did not join him in the US.
Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said Akayed had no criminal record in Bangladesh and had last visited the country on September 8, last year.
Trump has taken the attack to drum support for his immigration ban, which, the White House said, would have prevented the attacker from entering the US.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
