New Jersey: Mohamed Hassanain arrested in hate crime against Sikh taxi driver
Accused has been charged with assault in third degree as a hate crime, assault in the third degree, and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Total Views |
New Jersey, January 15: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department arrested Mohamed Hassanain in a hate crime case, where he had assaulted an Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver at John F. Kennedy International Airport, on January 3.
Amrith Kaur Aakre, the Legal Director of the Sikh Coalition, said, "We are grateful to the Port Authority Police Department and Queens District Attorney’s Office for their prompt action on this case, and for recognizing that the attack on Mr Singh included clear anti-Sikh bias."
The victim was angered and shocked when he was assaulted for nothing. He said, "I am thankful for law enforcement, the Sikh Coalition, and all those in the community who have offered their strength in this difficult time. No one should experience what I did–but if they do, I hope they receive the same overwhelming amount of support and quick, professional action by the authorities in response."
A video of the incident went viral, where accused Hassanain can be seen shouting at the victim - “go back to your country”, “turbaned people” in an insulting way. Hassanain then punched, pushed the Sikh driver, then went on to rip off his turban.
UPDATE: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department has arrested Mohamed Hassanain for the January 3 attack on "Mr. Singh," a Sikh taxi driver, at JFK airport. The incident is being considered a hate crime. Read more: https://t.co/PZb6nuS6jC pic.twitter.com/fwnm1uqJ6a
— Sikh Coalition (@sikh_coalition) January 15, 2022
Hassanain has been charged with assault in the 3rd degree as a hate crime, assault in the third degree, and aggravated harassment in the second degree. The accused is set to be arraigned on January 15 by competent court. The Sikh Coalition, a community-based civil and human rights organisation, thanked the police for the quick action taken.
Amrith Kaur Aakre, the Legal Director of the Sikh Coalition, said, "We are grateful to the Port Authority Police Department and Queens District Attorney’s Office for their prompt action on this case, and for recognizing that the attack on Mr Singh included clear anti-Sikh bias."
Also Read | Hindu hatred at Oxford University! 'Expel Dr Abhijit Sarkar', 119 Hindu orgs write to PM Boris Johnson
The victim had parked his taxi at Terminal 4 taxi stand when the accused blocked his vehicle. When he picked up a customer, he stepped out of his car, asking Hassanain to move. On this, Hassanain attempted to hit him with his own car door. Later, he started punching the victim in the head, chest, and arms, and knocked off his turban.
The victim was angered and shocked when he was assaulted for nothing. He said, "I am thankful for law enforcement, the Sikh Coalition, and all those in the community who have offered their strength in this difficult time. No one should experience what I did–but if they do, I hope they receive the same overwhelming amount of support and quick, professional action by the authorities in response."