QUEENS, N.Y. — A 34-year-old man from Jamaica has been charged with assault as a hate crime after allegedly attacking a Muslim woman aboard a Queens-bound E train, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.
Naved Durrni is accused of approaching the victim around 4 a.m. on June 18, asking her where she was from and whether she was Muslim. When the woman, who was wearing a head covering, confirmed her faith, Durrni allegedly began striking her in the face and kicked her with heavy work boots, causing multiple facial fractures.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 75th Avenue. Durrni fled the train but was apprehended by police several blocks away.
Victim sustained multiple facial fractures in targeted attack
The victim suffered a broken nasal bone and orbital bone, along with bruising and swelling. She was treated at a local hospital.
Durrni, of 106th Avenue, is charged with first-degree assault as a hate crime, first-degree assault, multiple counts of second-degree assault as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment. He was arraigned Thursday and remanded by Judge Michael Katz. He is scheduled to return to court on June 23.
“If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison,” said DA Katz, who reiterated her office’s commitment to prosecuting acts of hate-fueled violence.
