Photo Courtesy of Google
Last summer, Durrni allegedly attacked a man and woman near the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in South Richmond Hill.
By Forum Staff
A borough grand jury has indicted a Jamaica man for allegedly pursuing pursued people on the street he believed were Muslim, striking them and yelling anti-Muslim views in June and July 2021, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.
Naved Durrni, 30, was arraigned Friday on an eight-count indictment charging him with robbery in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the third degree as a hate crime, aggravated harassment in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and menacing in the second degree as a hate crime. Durrni was ordered to return to court on Jan. 24.
According to the charges, on June 20, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Durrni encountered a man and woman walking near Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. Durrni approached the 31-year-old man and allegedly struck him without provocation and continued his attack by pulling on the 24-year-old woman’s hijab. He then chased the pair when they tried to get away from him by crossing the street. Durrni also allegedly grabbed and ran away with a box that the woman was carrying. During this attack, Durrni allegedly yelled anti-Muslim slurs, saying “Mohammad was a liar.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
Durrni also allegedly attacked another woman on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica.
About an hour later, Durrni encountered another couple walking on Inwood Street in Jamaicas. Durrni began to follow them. Again, without cause, Durrni allegedly began to yell anti-Muslim sentiments, including saying in sum and substance “Mohammad was a liar.” Then Durrni allegedly punched the 56-year-old female victim in the face and head. The woman sustained a fractured nose as a result of the attack and had to be treated at a nearby hospital.
On Sunday, July 25, according to the charges, Durrni was in front of 94-06 Sutphin Blvd., at approximately 6:30 p.m., when he allegedly bumped a 38-year-old woman into the street. The victim was wearing traditional Muslim clothing. Durrni allegedly yelled at her that “Mohammad was a liar” and “Jesus tells the truth.” When the woman tried to call 911 on her cell phone, Durrni is alleged to have pulled out a knife and pointed it at the woman in a threatening manner before fleeing the scene.
“This kind of hateful behavior will not be tolerated in Queens—the most diverse county in the country. The defendant now faces justice in our courts for his alleged actions,” Katz said
If convicted, Durrni faces up to eight years in prison.
