New York Attack Perpetrator Charged with Terrorism

Sayfullo Saipov, who drove a rental truck into pedestrians and cyclists in Manhattan, killing eight people, has been charged with terrorism and acting on behalf of the Islamic State group, ISIS. According to the Associated Press, 29-year-old Saipov was brought to court on Wednesday, November 1, in a wheelchair, with chains on his hands and feet. The report states that the New York attacker is accused of providing support to ISIS, as well as violence and destruction of vehicles. A New York police official stated that Saipov had been planning the attack for weeks, using a rental truck from Home Depot. He chose to carry out the attack on Halloween, believing he could kill more citizens. John Miller, the head of the New York Police Department's counter-terrorism division, said on Wednesday that Saipov executed the attack 'in the name of ISIS.' The police official added that the suspect had planned the attack in New York based on instructions published by ISIS on social media. Meanwhile, the court has appointed a public defender for the attacker. David Patten, Saipov's attorney, has requested that the court ensure his client receives necessary medical care. The attorney did not provide further details about the injuries of the New York attacker. According to CNN, the indictment against the suspect states that a note in Arabic and English was found in his vehicle, in which Saipov pledged allegiance to ISIS. Reports also indicate that Saipov was carrying an ISIS flag in the rental vehicle and intended to raise it while driving on the Brooklyn Bridge. The ten-page indictment against Saipov mentions that two mobile phones were discovered in his rental vehicle, containing videos and photos of ISIS propaganda. Reports indicate that the attacker rented the pickup truck at 2:05 PM from Home Depot in New Jersey and carried out the attack at 3:05 PM. Five of the victims killed in the New York attack were Argentine citizens who had traveled to New York to celebrate their graduation after 30 years. A Belgian woman with two children was also killed in the attack. In this context, Donald Trump announced he would 'end' the green card lottery following the New York incident and called for stricter background checks for immigrants. Eight people were killed in the vehicle attack on pedestrians and cyclists in New York.