Men who brought explosives to NYC protest cited Islamic State as inspiration, complaint says

NEW YORK (AP) — A court complaint says two men who brought explosives to a protest outside New York City’s mayoral mansion said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group. Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi are being held without bail. They were arraigned Monday (March 9, 2026) on charges that include attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction. The complaint says Kayumi blurted out as he was being arrested Saturday that “ISIS” was the reason for his conduct. The homemade devices did not explode. They were hurled Saturday during raucous counterprotests against an anti-Islamic demonstration led by far-right activist Jake Lang.