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Monday 25 of November 2024

Bangladeshi immigrant speaks out after bombing conviction


FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2018 court room file drawing, U.S. Marshals escort defendant Akayed Ullah, center, into court in New York for his arraignment on charges of setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station at rush hour last Dec. 11. A guilty verdict against the Bangladeshi immigrant was returned on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Manhattan federal court.(Elizabeth Williams via AP, File),FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2018 court room file drawing, U.S. Marshals escort defendant Akayed Ullah, center, into court in New York for his arraignment on charges of setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station at rush hour last Dec. 11. A guilty verdict against the Bangladeshi immigrant was returned on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Manhattan federal court.(Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2018 court room file drawing, U.S. Marshals escort defendant Akayed Ullah, center, into court in New York for his arraignment on charges of setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station at rush hour last Dec. 11. A guilty verdict against the Bangladeshi immigrant was returned on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Manhattan federal court.(Elizabeth Williams via AP, File),FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2018 court room file drawing, U.S. Marshals escort defendant Akayed Ullah, center, into court in New York for his arraignment on charges of setting off a pipe bomb in New York City's busiest subway station at rush hour last Dec. 11. A guilty verdict against the Bangladeshi immigrant was returned on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Manhattan federal court.(Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — 4 p.m.

A Bangladeshi immigrant convicted of terrorism charges after setting off a pipe bomb in New York City’s busiest subway station at rush hour insists he didn’t do it for the Islamic State group.

After the Manhattan jury announced its verdict Tuesday, Akayed Ullah spoke out.

He told U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan he was angry at President Donald Trump for threatening to bomb the Middle East when he carried out the attack last December. His bomb fizzled and only Ullah was seriously hurt.

The defense said Ullah intended to kill only himself.

Prosecutors said he wanted to maim or kill commuters as part of a “lone wolf” attack.

Ullah faces a mandatory 30-year prison sentence and possible life. Sentencing is set for April 5.

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2:19 p.m.

A Bangladeshi immigrant who set off a pipe bomb in New York City’s busiest subway station at rush hour has been convicted of terrorism charges.

The verdict against Akayed Ullah was returned on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court.

The defense said Ullah intended to kill only himself last Dec. 11. Nobody died and most of the injuries were not serious.

Prosecutors said he wanted to maim or kill commuters as part of a “lone wolf” terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State group.

They disputed the defense claim, saying Ullah would not have worn a bomb had he wanted to kill only himself.

They also cited social media postings by Ullah as well as comments he made after his arrest to investigators.