NYC man allegedly attacked Muslim woman, causing facial fractures: DA
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – A man is accused of attacking a Muslim woman while she was on a subway train, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Friday.
The attacker, Naved Durrni, 34, allegedly slapped and punched the woman multiple times, causing fractures to her face.
Durrni now faces hate crime charges, multiple counts of assault, and harassment charges, according to court documents.
“Bigotry, hate, and violence against the Muslim community or any community that faces discrimination will be met with serious consequences from my office,” District Attorney Katz said.
On Wednesday, Durrni was riding the subway and reportedly approached the victim, who was wearing a head covering, on the E train around 4 a.m. He asked her if she was Muslim, and when she replied that she was, he slapped and punched her in the face multiple times, kicking her with his heavy work boots, according to police.
Durrni then fled the scene.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. She sustained fractures to her nasal and orbital bones and suffered from bruising and swelling, according to court documents.
Police captured Durrni just blocks away from the attack. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on Monday, according to court documents.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.