Latest news with #Chkhikvishvili
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
European 'neo-Nazi' leader extradited to US from Moldova over plot to poison Jewish kids
'Commander Butcher' Michail Chkhikvishvili The United States has extradited from Moldova the leader of an "an eastern European neo-Nazi group" for allegedly instructing an undercover US federal agent to dress as "Santa Claus" and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities. Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 21-year-old from the Republic of Georgia, was arraigned Friday before a federal judge in New York's Brooklyn on multiple felonies, including soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence. Chkhikvishvili pleaded not guilty through an attorney, Samuel Gregory. The lawyer requested that his client receive a psychiatric evaluation, and be placed on suicide watch while in custody. "The case is a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology," US attorney general Pam Bondi said in a statement, according to news agency AP. Chkhikvishvili leads 'Maniac Murder Cult': Prosecutors Prosecutors described the Georgian national, who also goes by 'Commander Butcher,' as the leader of the "Maniac Murder Cult," an international extremist group. The Maniac Murder Cult adheres to a 'neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence and violent acts against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems 'undesirables.'' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kickstart your new journey with the Honda Shine 125 Honda Learn More Undo They alleged that the group's violent solicitations — promoted through Telegram channels and outlined a manifesto called the 'Hater's Handbook' — appear to have inspired "multiple real life killings," including one at a school in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this year which left a 16-year-old student dead. Since 2022, Chkhikvishvili has made multiple visits to Brooklyn, where he bragged about beating up an elderly Jewish man and instructed others, primarily through text messages, to commit violent acts on behalf of the Maniac Murder Cult, according to court papers. When he was approached by the undercover FBI agent in 2023, Chkhikvishvili recruited the official to a scheme which 'involved an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities and children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn,' as per the Justice Department. Describing his "desire" to carry out a mass casualty attack, Chkhikvishvili said he saw the United States as 'big potential" because of accessibility to firearms." He suggested that the undercover FBI agent should consider targeting homeless people because the US government "wouldn't care even if they die." He was arrested last July in Moldova, where he was held until this week's extradition.
NBC News
25-05-2025
- NBC News
Leader of neo-Nazi 'murder cult' extradited to the U.S. from Moldova
NEW YORK — The leader of an eastern European neo-Nazi group has been extradited to the United States from Moldova following his arrest last summer for allegedly instructing an undercover federal agent to dress as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities, prosecutors said. Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 21-year-old from the republic of Georgia, was arraigned Friday before a federal judge in Brooklyn on multiple felonies, including soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence. He pleaded not guilty through an attorney, Samuel Gregory, who requested his client receive a psychiatric evaluation and be placed on suicide watch while in custody. Gregory did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Prosecutors described Chkhikvishvili, who also goes by 'Commander Butcher,' as the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, an international extremist group that adheres to a 'neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence and violent acts against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems 'undesirables.'' They said the group's violent solicitations — promoted through Telegram channels and outlined a manifesto called the 'Hater's Handbook' — appear to have inspired multiple real life killings, including a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this year that left a 16-year-old student dead. Since 2022, Chkhikvishvili has traveled on multiple occasions to Brooklyn, where he bragged about beating up an elderly Jewish man and instructed others, primarily through text messages, to commit violent acts on behalf of the Maniac Murder Cult, according to court papers. When he was approached by an undercover FBI agent in 2023, Chkhikvishvili recruited the official to a scheme that 'involved an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities and children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn,' according to the Justice Department. He later suggested narrowing the focus to 'dead Jewish kids,' prosecutors said, after noting that 'Jews are literally everywhere' in Brooklyn. Describing his desire to carry out a mass casualty attack, Chkhikvishvili said he saw the United States as 'big potential because accessibility to firearms,' adding that the undercover should consider targeting homeless people because the government wouldn't care 'even if they die,' according to court papers. He was arrested last July in Moldova, where he was held until this week's extradition. In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the case was 'a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology.'
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Newsweek
Man Faces Prosecution in US After FBI Foiled NYC Terror Plot
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 21-year-old Georgian national and leader of a violent group, was arraigned Friday in New York after being extradited from Moldova on charges that he was plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack in Manhattan, according to federal authorities. Newsweek has reached out to Chkhikvishvili's lawyer for comment via email on Saturday. Newsweek filed out an online contact form seeking comment from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday. Why It Matters Last July, Chkhikvishvili, who is the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, a group that goes by many names and acronyms including MKY, was arrested in Moldova, where he has been held prior to his extradition. He was arrested following the release of a four-count indictment "charging him with soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence in New York City," a DOJ press release stated. He was extradited to the United States on Thursday, a move praised by U.S. law enforcement officials. What To Know Chkhikvishvili was arraigned in a federal court in Brooklyn on Friday where he pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Samuel Gregory, who requested that his client be placed under psychiatric evaluation, according to the Associated Press. The DOJ has repeatedly said the group that Chkhikvishvili leads "adheres to a neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence and violent acts against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems 'undesirables.'" The 21-year-old is also known as "Commander Butcher." The indictment alleges that Chkhikvishvili was planningto have an associate dress as Santa Claus and distribute poisoned candy to "racial minorities" in New York City as part of a mass-casualty attack planned for New Year's Eve. The plan was intended to create widespread fear and chaos, according to specific instructions Chkhikvishvili reportedly provided to an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officer he believed was a recruit. These instructions included manuals on creating lethal poisons and gases, which he allegedly shared with the undercover officer. His arrest followed an alleged attempt to enlist the undercover officer in carrying out violent crimes that were part of a broader scheme to incite terror that included bombings and arson, according to federal prosecutors. His arrest followed an investigation led by the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multiagency team of federal, state and local law enforcement officials. If convicted, Chkhikvishvili faces serious years-long prison sentences, including a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for solicitation of violent felonies, five years' imprisonment for conspiring to solicit violent felonies, 20 years' imprisonment for distributing information pertaining to the making and use of explosive devices and poison, and five years' imprisonment for transmitting threatening communications. A sign is displayed outside of the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building on May 18 in Washington, DC. A sign is displayed outside of the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building on May 18 in Washington, People Are Saying Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a May 23 press release: "This case is a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology. The Department of Justice will not tolerate hate-fueled violence, and we will pursue those who threaten innocent lives wherever they may be." NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in the DOJ's press release: "This defendant allegedly planned to poison Jewish children and carry out mass murder in New York extradition demonstrates the reach and the determination of American law enforcement agencies to track down the most dangerous and depraved of criminals." United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York said in the May 23 press release: "As alleged, the defendant, a white supremacist, recruited others to participate in a violent campaign of hatred against racial minorities and the Jewish community and to engage in the mass killing of children and others in these communities using poison, suicide bombs, firearms, arson fires, and vehicle explosions. Today's extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate." What Happens Next A status conference in the case is scheduled for June 11.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Neo-Nazi leader accused of inspiring school shooting, plotting NYC attack extradited to US
Federal officials extradited an international neo-Nazi group leader they say inspired a teen to commit a school shooting in Tennessee earlier this year and plotted to commit a mass casualty attack in New York City targeting Jewish people. The terrorist group's leader, 21-year-old Michail Chkhikvishvili, orchestrated deadly attacks around the globe, prosecutors said. The citizen of the nation of Georgia was extradited from Moldova on May 22 after he was arrested in July. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Brooklyn on May 23, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said the man, who went by the name "Commander Butcher," was the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, which goes by several other names including MKY. Chkhikvishvili has distributed a writing called the "Hater's Handbook," encouraging people to commit acts of mass violence and "ethnic cleansing," according to court filings. His "solicitations of violence" led to international attacks, including a 2024 stabbing outside a mosque in Turkey, prosecutors said. Chkhikvishvili targeted the U.S. as a site for more attacks because of the ease of accessing firearms, prosecutors said in court records. He told an undercover law enforcement employee, 'I see USA as big potential because accessibility to firearms and other resources,' in an electronic message sent Sept. 8, 2023, court filings show. It was not clear if Chkhikvishvili had an attorney who could speak on his behalf Chkhikvishvili has been indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on four counts including solicitation of violent felonies. The charges stemmed from Chkhikvishvili's communications with an undercover FBI employee in which he trained and encouraged the undercover agent to carry out a mass attack against Jewish people and minorities. Chkhikvishvili corresponded with the undercover agent between September 2023 and at least March 2024. The plot included having an individual wearing a Santa Claus costume hand out poisoned candies to Jewish kids in New York City on New Year's Eve. It later evolved into targeting Jewish people on a larger scale. Chkhikvishvili said he wanted the attack to be a "bigger action than Breivik," prosecutors said. Breivik refers to Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in a massacre in Norway in 2011 that targeted mostly teenagers at a camp. "His goal was to spread hatred, fear, and destruction by encouraging bombings, arson, and even poisoning children," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said last year. The MKY group is based in Russia and Ukraine but has members around the world, including the U.S., according to a federal complaint. Members adhere to neo-Nazi ideology promoting violence against racial minorities. The man's arrest came before the deadly attack at Antioch High School on Jan. 22, 2025. However, prosecutors in the New York federal court linked the Antioch shooting to Chkhikvishvili's solicitations of violence in a court filing on May 23, the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York wrote to the judge requesting the man be incarcerated before trial. They pointed to several ways his actions have 'directly resulted in real violence,' including the shooting at Antioch High School. According to the prosecutors, the 17-year-old attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of MKY and at least one other group in an audio recording posted online before the shooting. It is not clear if the shooter was a member of MKY or had contact with Chkhikvishvili or other members of the terrorist organization. Chkhikvishvili said the group asks for video of brutal beatings, arson, explosions or murders to join the group, adding that the victims should be 'low race targets.' Chkhikvishvili's name also appeared in the document the DOJ said was written by the Antioch shooter – a 300-page writing in which the shooter espoused misanthropic White supremacist and Nazi ideologies. The shooter also referred to the founder of MKY and said he would write the founder's name on his gun, according to prosecutors. Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, died after the 17-year-old shot her with a pistol in the cafeteria of Antioch High School. Another student was injured during the attack. The shooter, 17-year-old student Solomon Henderson, then shot and killed himself. Contributing: Michael Loria, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Neo-Nazi leader who inspired school shooting extradited to US
USA Today
24-05-2025
- USA Today
Neo-Nazi leader accused of inspiring school shooting, plotting NYC attack extradited to US
Neo-Nazi leader accused of inspiring school shooting, plotting NYC attack extradited to US Show Caption Hide Caption Antioch High School student-led rally to honor Josselin Corea Escalante Students and local politicians attend a student-led rally to honor Josselin Corea Escalante at Antioch High School in Antioch, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. The 17-year-old Tennessee school shooter said before the attack he was acting on behalf of the group MKY. The leader of MKY, a Georgian national, was extradited to the U.S. and arraigned in New York on May 23. The charges relate to Michail Chkhikvishvili's alleged training of an undercover agent on how to carry out a mass poisoning. Federal officials extradited an international neo-Nazi group leader they say inspired a teen to commit a school shooting in Tennessee earlier this year and plotted to commit a mass casualty attack in New York City targeting Jewish people. The terrorist group's leader, 21-year-old Michail Chkhikvishvili, orchestrated deadly attacks around the globe, prosecutors said. The citizen of the nation of Georgia was extradited from Moldova on May 22 after he was arrested in July. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Brooklyn on May 23, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said the man, who went by the name "Commander Butcher," was the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, which goes by several other names including MKY. Chkhikvishvili has distributed a writing called the "Hater's Handbook," encouraging people to commit acts of mass violence and "ethnic cleansing," according to court filings. His "solicitations of violence" led to international attacks, including a 2024 stabbing outside a mosque in Turkey, prosecutors said. Chkhikvishvili targeted the U.S. as a site for more attacks because of the ease of accessing firearms, prosecutors said in court records. He told an undercover law enforcement employee, 'I see USA as big potential because accessibility to firearms and other resources,' in an electronic message sent Sept. 8, 2023, court filings show. It was not clear if Chkhikvishvili had an attorney who could speak on his behalf 'Murder cult' leader plotted to poison Jewish kids in NYC, feds say Chkhikvishvili has been indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on four counts including solicitation of violent felonies. The charges stemmed from Chkhikvishvili's communications with an undercover FBI employee in which he trained and encouraged the undercover agent to carry out a mass attack against Jewish people and minorities. Chkhikvishvili corresponded with the undercover agent between September 2023 and at least March 2024. The plot included having an individual wearing a Santa Claus costume hand out poisoned candies to Jewish kids in New York City on New Year's Eve. It later evolved into targeting Jewish people on a larger scale. Chkhikvishvili said he wanted the attack to be a "bigger action than Breivik," prosecutors said. Breivik refers to Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in a massacre in Norway in 2011 that targeted mostly teenagers at a camp. "His goal was to spread hatred, fear, and destruction by encouraging bombings, arson, and even poisoning children," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said last year. The MKY group is based in Russia and Ukraine but has members around the world, including the U.S., according to a federal complaint. Members adhere to neo-Nazi ideology promoting violence against racial minorities. Chkhikvishvili allegedly inspired Tennessee school shooting The man's arrest came before the deadly attack at Antioch High School on Jan. 22, 2025. However, prosecutors in the New York federal court linked the Antioch shooting to Chkhikvishvili's solicitations of violence in a court filing on May 23, the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York wrote to the judge requesting the man be incarcerated before trial. They pointed to several ways his actions have 'directly resulted in real violence,' including the shooting at Antioch High School. According to the prosecutors, the 17-year-old attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of MKY and at least one other group in an audio recording posted online before the shooting. It is not clear if the shooter was a member of MKY or had contact with Chkhikvishvili or other members of the terrorist organization. Chkhikvishvili said the group asks for video of brutal beatings, arson, explosions or murders to join the group, adding that the victims should be 'low race targets.' Chkhikvishvili's name also appeared in the document the DOJ said was written by the Antioch shooter – a 300-page writing in which the shooter espoused misanthropic White supremacist and Nazi ideologies. The shooter also referred to the founder of MKY and said he would write the founder's name on his gun, according to prosecutors. Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, died after the 17-year-old shot her with a pistol in the cafeteria of Antioch High School. Another student was injured during the attack. The shooter, 17-year-old student Solomon Henderson, then shot and killed himself. Contributing: Michael Loria, USA TODAY
