20-year-old Ohio man arrested after he allegedly faked an anti-Palestinian hate crime

According to Cleveland.com, On Oct. 22 Ayyad told the Cleveland chapter of the Islamic Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that he was assaulted by someone in an SUV making "anti-Palestinian slurs." However, investigators found his injuries were the result of a fight with his brother.

On Oct. 23, CAIR issued a press release on the incident that said Ayyad was the victim of a "reported hit and run," and said that "he was walking home from eating lunch when a car slowed down and rolled down the window. The driver of the car allegedly started yelling at him using anti-Palestinian statements like “Kill all Palestinians,” and “Long live Israel,” as he swerved his car to intimidate the victim. The driver then allegedly turned around and hit the man while shouting “DIE!” CAIR attached a picture of Ayyad in the hospital, wearing a neck brace.

Police officials said that the 20-year-old told them he was struck by a vehicle in a racially motivated assault. After an investigation, police said Ayyad was not the victim of a racially motivated assault, and that video evidence showed "that injuries sustained at the time of the incident were caused by a violent fight that the alleged victim had participated in with his brother."

Hesham A. Ayyad and his brother Khalil A. Ayyad, 19, were both arrested on Tuesday. Hesham was charged with making false alarms, falsification, obstructing official business, domestic violence, and assault. Khalil was charged with domestic violence and assault.

WKYC reports both men were released on Wednesday after posting bond, and will return to court on Tuesday.

CAIR stated in response to the charges, "Our understanding is that the brothers have secured their own legal counsel. We do not yet know anything more about the nature of the charges."