Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of YEHIA AMIN, 28, for stalking and punching a 23-year-old Israeli tourist in an antisemitic attack, while the victim and his friends were walking through Times Square. AMIN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts each of Stalking in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Stalking in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime. He is also charged with one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. [1]

“As alleged, Yehia Amin taunted and punched a tourist after stalking his friends and going on a vile antisemitic tirade that spanned several minutes,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Violence stemming from hate and discrimination will not be tolerated in Manhattan. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold those that cause harm accountable to ensure Manhattan is a safe place for everyone.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on October 18, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the victim, a Jewish Israeli tourist, was visiting Times Square with a group of friends. The victim and four of his male friends were all wearing kippahs. As the group walked up 7th Avenue from 42nd Street, they passed by AMIN, who recognized that they were Jewish and began following them. While following them for several blocks, AMIN used his Bluetooth speaker to play music that AMIN later described as “Hamas music.” He also made antisemitic and anti-Israeli remarks, including, in substance, “Hamas should kill more of you,” “May Allah kill you,” “May Allah kill all the Jews,” and “All Jews should die.”

When the group reached West 47th Street, they tried to report AMIN to a security guard, but AMIN continued harassing them. The victim and his friends tried walking towards a nearby train station to leave Times Square, but AMIN continued following and made additional statements including “All Jews are crybabies,” “I want to die for Gaza,” “I want to kill you,” and “I want to kill you for Gaza.” After harassing the victim and his friends for over 10 minutes, AMIN sprinted up behind the victim and punched him in the back of the head, causing redness, swelling and substantial pain.

AMIN fled the scene, with the victim and his friends following behind. A police officer joined the chase and was able to catch up to AMIN to arrest him. While under arrest, AMIN continued to yell, in substance, “I will die for Gaza,” “F- Israel,” “God kill all the Israelis” and “God kill all the Jewish people.”

If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call (212)-335-3100.

Assistant D.A. Edward Smith (Trial Bureau 60) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Julie Anne Lim (Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst) and Zoe Fleishaker (Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst) are providing valuable assistance.

D.A. Bragg thanked the members of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, particularly Detective Desmond Brown. He also thanked the members of Patrol Borough Manhattan South, especially Officer Michael Walsh.

Defendant Information:

YEHIA AMIN
Queens, NY

Charged:

• Stalking in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, two counts
• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, two counts
• Stalking in the Third Degree as a Hate Crimes, a class E felony, two counts
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 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.