On Dec. 11, 2017, Akayed Ullah detonated a bomb strapped to his body while in the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. He faced six separate charges and was convicted on all six after a week-long trial that concluded this week.
He will be sentenced on April 5, 2019 by the Honorable Richard J. Sullivan and faces life in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Akayed Ullah Convicted for Detonation of a Bomb in New York City https://t.co/vMax1awSEW
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) November 6, 2018
The conviction was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York.
Demers said, “Less than a year ago, Ullah constructed a pipe bomb and detonated it in a mass transit hub in the heart of New York City to harm and terrorize as many people as possible, all on behalf of ISIS. His crime reminds us that the threat of radical Islamist terrorism remains real. This guilty verdict holds Ullah accountable, and he faces a potential life term in federal prison for his crimes. I want to thank all the agents and prosecutors whose outstanding work made this result possible.”
“Late last year, Akayed Ullah detonated a bomb during the bustle of morning rush hour under the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Ullah’s sinister purpose was to harm and terrorize as many innocent people in his path as possible, by using deadly violence to make a political statement,” Berman said.
“Ullah’s conviction by a unanimous jury of New Yorkers falls on Election Day, which fittingly underscores the core principles of American democracy and spirit: Americans engage in the political process through votes, not violence. Today, Ullah stands convicted, he faces a potential life sentence, and his purpose failed. New York City remains a shining symbol of freedom and hope,” Berman added.
Just after the explosion, police found Ullah lying on the ground near where the explosion took place, and arrested him. There were four non-life-threatening injuries reported in the incident.
Surveillance footage captured Ullah walking through the subway terminal and detonating his IED.
Police found the components of an exploded pipe bomb, a nine-volt battery, wires connected to the battery and running underneath Ullah’s jacket, two plastic zip ties underneath Ullah’s jacket, several fragments of a metal pipe, the remnants of a Christmas tree light-bulb attached to wires, metal screws, and pieces of plastic zip ties on his person.
At the time of his arrest, Ullah waived his Miranda Rights and gave a full admission of his guilt.
He acknowledged that he carried out the attack on Dec. 11 and said, “I did it for the Islamic State.”
Ullah admitted he built the pipe bomb at his residence in Brooklyn and did so because he opposed the U.S. government policies in the Middle East.
Ullah has resided in Brooklyn for seven years but is originally from Bangladesh.
