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If convicted, the defendants could face years in prison.
By Shula Rosen
Six men from the Pittsburgh area were indicted Monday on federal charges linked to an alleged antisemitic assault on a Jewish man and efforts to obstruct the investigation, authorities said.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with local law enforcement.
The charges include violations of federal hate crimes statutes, along with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. If convicted, the defendants could face years in prison.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the Justice Department will pursue the case aggressively and stated that acts of violence targeting individuals based on religion will not be tolerated.
Prosecutors say the incident occurred in September 2024 in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.
According to the indictment, the victim was identified by a Star of David necklace, approached, and subjected to antisemitic remarks before the confrontation escalated.
Two of the defendants are accused of physically assaulting the man and causing injuries.
Authorities allege that in the aftermath of the attack, members of the group communicated with one another and attempted to coordinate their accounts.
Several are accused of providing false or misleading statements to investigators and a federal grand jury.
Those charged are Muhammed Koc, 27, of Pittsburgh; Omar Alshmari, 28, of Monroeville; Abraham Choudhry, 22, of Monroeville; Emirhan Arslan, 24, of McKees Rocks; Ali Alkhaleel, 19, of Pittsburgh; and Adeel Piracha, 22, of Murrysville.
An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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