Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of SALEM SELEIMAN, 28, for attacking a 29-year-old Jewish man in Times Square in May 2021. SELEIMAN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime. He is additionally charged with Attempted Gang Assault in the First Degree. [1]

SELEIMAN is the sixth defendant to be indicted for the 2021 attack. All five of the other defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced, including three who the Office announced state prison sentences for in January 2024. 

“As alleged, Salem Seleiman disrupted a peaceful pro-Israel rally when he participated in a brutal antisemitic attack on a Jewish man,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Seleiman’s alleged conduct was abhorrent and many of the other individuals who joined him have already been convicted and are serving state prison sentences. Violently assaulting someone because of their religion is unacceptable, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, community groups and local leaders to address attacks on the Jewish community.”    

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on May 20, 2021, a Pro-Israel rally and a counter Pro-Palestine rally occurred in Times Square. At approximately 7:00 p.m., SELEIMAN, who attended the Pro-Palestine rally, encountered the victim, who was wearing a yarmulke.     

The victim was thrown to the ground, punched, struck with a crutch, pepper-sprayed and kicked by the separately charged defendants. During the assault, the victim was taunted with antisemitic remarks including, “filthy Jew,” “dirty Jew” and “f— Israel.” 

After Good Samaritans attempted to intervene and protect the victim, SELEIMAN appeared to urge onlookers to leave the scene. While the victim was still on the ground, SELEIMAN approached and kicked him in the face. 

SELEIMAN was arrested in Florida on a warrant for this case in May 2024 before being extradited to Manhattan.    

Assistant D.A. Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) is handling the prosecution of this case with the assistance of Assistant D.A. Jonathon Junig (Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit), under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst Julie Lim is providing valuable assistance. Former Hate Crimes Investigative Analysts Caitie Kang and Zoe Fleishaker also provided valuable assistance.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Alfred Genao of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.  

Defendant Information:

SALEM SELEIMAN

Tampa, FL

Charged:

• Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, one count
• Attempted Gang Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Attempted Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, one count 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.