Six Pittsburgh-Area Residents Indicted in 2024 Antisemitic Attack, Obstruction Case

Overview

• A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh returned a seven-count indictment Monday, naming Muhammed Koc, Omar Alshmari, Abraham Choudhry, Emirhan Arslan, Ali Alkhaleel, and Adeel Piracha.
• Prosecutors say the group targeted a passerby on Sept. 27, 2024 at about 2:01 a.m. after they saw a Star of David necklace in the Oakland neighborhood.
• The indictment alleges Koc and Alshmari physically attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches, after others in the group hurled antisemitic remarks.
• Investigators say the defendants later discussed the incident in group chats, identified themselves from a University of Pittsburgh crime alert, and admitted involvement in texts.
• The charges include violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, obstruction, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 10 years for some counts and the defendants presumed innocent.