Federal indictment accuses eight pro-Palestinian activists of intimidation campaign at University of Michigan

Prosecutors accused eight pro-Palestinian activists with ties to the university of conspiring to threaten campus leaders and others.

Eight college-aged activists face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to threaten University of Michigan leaders over refusal to divest from Israel.

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday against eight pro-Palestinian activists who are accused of conspiring to run a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials while trying to force the school to cut financial ties to Israel.

Federal prosecutors unsealed indictment against activists trying to force the school to cut financial ties to IsraelSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailFederal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday against eight pro-Palestinian activists who are accused of conspiring to run a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials while trying to force the school to cut financial ties to Israel.The indictment also describes vandalism against some companies that operate in Michigan and against the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Continue reading...

The FBI arrested eight “college-aged adults” connected to pro-Palestinian advocacy on the University of Michigan’s campus, on Wednesday morning. FBI Director Kash Patel alleged that the group of arrestees, aged 21–28, “engaged in a coordinated campaign of violent, criminal acts,” including threatening notes, spray-painting “Intifada” and “Free Palestine” on people’s homes, breaking windows, and “throwing glass jars filled with chemicals while children slept inside.” The defendants, most of whom studied or worked at the University of Michigan, were indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. They face various charges, including federal counts of conspiracy to transmit threats, witness intimidation, and destruction of property to prevent seizure. The indictment alleges the group crossed the line into criminal activity in order to get the university to divest from Israel. They face between five to 20 years in prison.A group of protesters coalesced around the courthouse that the eight defendants were taken to on Wednesday afternoon. This is the most recent crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocacy from the administration.“I’m sure in 50 years, the [University of Michigan] will be putting statues up to [the protesters] and saying how much they appreciated their courage in retrospect,” Michigan student James Johnson told MLive. “But right now, they’re being very cowardly at the very least.” The eight charged are: Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, 23, of Chicago Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, 21, of Ann ArborColin Hunter Weger, 24, of Ann ArborJonathan Hongru Zou, 22, of Ann Arbor Mariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, of Dearborn Paige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann ArborZainab Aliasgar Hakim, 23, of Canton

Eight people connected to pro-Palestinian advocacy at the University of Michigan were charged with threatening campus leaders, businesses and a Jewish organization as part of a coordinated campaign to force the school to sever ties to Israel.