New York’s Jamaica.According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, a man is being charged with hate crimes after he allegedly attacked a Muslim woman on an E train early on Wednesday morning, causing her to sustain several facial fractures.
Naved Durrni, 34, of 106th Avenue in Jamaica, was charged with aggravated harassment, first-degree assault as a hate crime, and other connected offenses on Thursday. He was placed on remand and is scheduled to return to court on June 23.
The victim was traveling on an E train headed for Queens at roughly 4 a.m. on Wednesday when the assault occurred, close to Queens Boulevard and 75th Avenue. According to reports, Durrni inquired about the woman’s faith while she was wearing a head covering. He allegedly kicked her in the face with work boots and hit her several times before he left the scene after she confirmed.
The woman was treated for swelling and bruises at a nearby hospital after suffering fractures to her orbital and nasal bones. Durrni was arrested by police a few blocks away.
Durrni could spend up to 25 years behind bars if found guilty on the main charge. Under Assistant District Attorney Michael Brovner, the DA’s Hate Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.
The assault is being handled as though it was motivated by bigotry.
