DOJ indicts 8 people who launched chemical attack against University of Michigan officials to 'Free Palestine'

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted eight individuals for their alleged roles in anti-Israel Hamas-inspired plots, including conspiracies to carry out targeted "autonomous actions" against law enforcement, Jewish-owned businesses, and University of Michigan officials.

The defendants allegedly enacted a series of coordinated "actions" following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. This includes organizing a campaign of violence against University of Michigan leaders in an attempt to divest from Israel. The conspirators publicly stated that they "must escalate, mobilize, and organize to demand divestment by any means necessary," according to the DOJ.

On October 20, 2023, the defendants posted a list of demands on social media directed at UofM leadership, which called for a "full and complete divestment" from Israel and any businesses supporting Israel. After the demands were not met, the defendants "prepared to take action" against university leadership through what they called "autonomous actions." This included forcibly entering and occupying school buildings, defacing property, and blocking and disrupting events on campus, according to the indictment.

Threats and claims of responsibility for their "autonomous actions" were shared online. This included photos shared of alleged crimes committed at the homes of UofM officials.


Courtesy: DOJ

Courtesy: DOJ

Additionally, the defendants allegedly held meetings to identify their political targets, using the internet to research personal addresses, photographs, political and social connections, business ownership, and other personal details. They also allegedly discussed harming targets through methods such as poison, bombs, and psychological torture, according to the indictment.

On May 21, 2024, defendants Paige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann Arbor, and Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reportedly agreed to "kill," "torment," and "terrorize" their targets and the families of their targets, including children.

Prosecutors said that the defendants are alleged to have committed their attacks at night, damaging and defacing family homes and businesses with spray-painted messages, threats, and symbols, including red inverted triangles used by the Hamas terrorist group in its military videos. Additionally, the defendants allegedly left demand notes containing additional threats, caulked doors shut, broke windows, bike-locked entryways, and threw glass jars filled with butyric acid and dye into the homes.
 

Furthermore, the defendants took photos of the destruction and submitted the photos online with warnings and threats, such as "you cannot hide" and "we only come back stronger."

Courtesy: DOJ

Courtesy: DOJ


Courtesy: DOJ

Some of the defendants have also been accused of witness intimidation after accusing an individual of cooperating with federal authorities. Defendant Feyock allegedly told co-conspirators that the victim needed to be killed or the group would be imprisoned, according to the indictment.

"In America, we rule by law not by fear," said US Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. in a press release. "These alleged threats and attempts to terrorize government officials, businesses, and the Jewish Federation are anti-American. We will counter intimidation with justice."

The following defendants have been charged in this case: Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, 23, of Canton, Michigan; Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, 21, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Paige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jonathan Hongru Zou, 22, of An Arbor, Michigan; Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, 23, of Chicago, Illinois; Mariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, of Dearborn, Michigan; and Colin Hunter Weger, 24, of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

If convicted, the crimes carry the following penalties: conspiracy to transmit a threat (maximum five years in prison and up to $250,000 fine), conspiracy to tamper with a witness (maximum 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 fine), destruction of property to prevent seizure (maximum five years in prison and up to $250,000 fine).

This case was spearheaded by the FBI Detroit Field Office, which received assistance from local law enforcement agencies across several states.