Photo Courtesy of Google
In June, Durrni allegedly attacked a couple walking in the vicinity of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in South Richmond Hill.
By Forum Staff
A Jamaica man has been charged in three random, separate attacks on people he believed to be Muslim, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.
Naved Durrni, 30, has been arraigned on a complaint charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, assault in the third degree as a hate crime, menacing in the second degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
According to the charges, on June 20, around 9:15 p.m. the defendant encountered a man and woman walking in the vicinity of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in South Richmond Hill. Without provocation, Durrni began to follow the pair and yell out anti-Muslim slurs, saying in sum and substance “Mohammad was a liar.” At one point, the defendant allegedly pulled on the 24-year-old woman’s hijab, telling her to take it off. When she did not comply, Durrni allegedly struck her in the arm and hit the 31-year-old man in the back.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Last month, Durrni allegedly attacked a woman in front of 94-06 Sutphin Blvd.
About an hour later, Durrni happened upon another couple walking on Inwood Street in Jamaica. Durrni began to follow them. Again, without cause, Durrni allegedly began ranting anti-Muslim statements, including saying, “Mohammad was a liar.” Then the defendant allegedly punched the 56-year-old woman in the face and head. The victim sustained a fractured nose as a result of the attack and had to be treated at an area hospital.
On Sunday, July 25, according to the charges, the defendant was in front of 94-06 Sutphin Blvd., around
6:30 p.m., when he allegedly bumped a 38-year-old woman wearing traditional Muslim clothing into the street. The defendant yelled “Mohammad was a liar” and “Jesus tells the truth.” When the victim attempted to call 911 on her cell phone, Durrni allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at the woman in a threatening manner before fleeing the area.
Durrni turned himself in last Tuesday at the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica after seeing images of himself on newscasts about the investigation.
“That type of hate will not be tolerated in Queens County, where our diversity is our greatest strength,” DA Katz said.
If convicted, Durrni faces up to eight years in prison.
