Officials on Tuesday charged the man suspected of trying to bomb the New York City subway system with terror-related offenses and other charges.
The New York Police Department tweeted that Akayed Ullah, who was arrested on Monday after a failed bombing attempt that injured four people, was charged with supporting an act of terrorism, making a terroristic threat, and criminal possession of a weapon. He also faces five federal charges, including bombing a place of public use and use of a weapon of mass destruction.
Mr. Ullah is a 27-year-old native of Bangladesh who came to the United States seven years ago. He was living in Brooklyn.
Police said Mr. Ullah detonated a pipe bomb that was strapped to his body, injuring himself and four other people on the walkway under the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan. The New York City Fire Department said the victims’ injuries were non-life-threatening. Mr. Ullah was taken to the hospital with burn injuries to his abdomen, and was expected to survive.
Mr. Ullah reportedly told investigators that he was inspired by Islamic State’s call for retaliatory attacks on the U.S., and that he chose the subway near Times Square because of its Christmas posters.
His wife and father-in-law were questioned on Tuesday by counter-terror police in Bangladesh.