A SECOND DEFENDANT HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH AN ATTEMPT TO TORCH A SYNAGOGUE IN RIVERDALE

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that 20 year old Mohammed Alfaqih has been convicted of Criminal Mischief for his role in an attempt to burn down a synagogue in the Riverdale section of the Bronx on October 8, 2000.

Alfaqih, of 94 Andrews Place, Yonkers, was convicted following four days of deliberations following a three month trial. Criminal mischief in the third degree is a Class E felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of one and a third to four years imprisonment. State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett set sentencing for January 22, 2003 in Part M-60. The judge revoked bail for Alfaqih and ordered that the defendant be remanded.

Alfaqih, the second defendant convicted in connection with the incident, had been charged with "acting in concert" with Mazin Assi who last Thursday was found guilty of Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree as a hate crime as well as other offenses including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree. Evidence at the trial showed that Alfaqih’s stated motive was his hatred of Jews in general. However, Alfaqih, the driver of the car used to commit the crimes, was acquitted of the most serious charges, including the hate crime.

Defendant Mazin Assi was convicted of Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree as a hate crime, Criminal mischief in the 3rd degree as a hate crime, Criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree and Aggravated harassment in the 1st degree.

Sentencing for Assi is also set for January 22, 2003 in Part M-60. Assi is facing a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment on the attempted arson charge and a maximum term of up to seven years imprisonment on the weapon possession charge. Assi could be imprisoned for up to 22 years if the judge imposes consecutive terms. Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree ordinarily carries a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment. However, as a hate crime, the maximum sentence is 15 years imprisonment.

District Attorney Johnson said: "This case concerns more than an assault on the Congregation of Adath Israel of Riverdale on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year. This case was vigorously prosecuted for the protection of Jews, Arabs, and all citizens of Bronx County. No one should have his or her personal safety or property jeopardized because of their race, religion, gender, ancestry or sexual orientation.

Assi was convicted of attempting to intentionally set fire to the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel by throwing one incendiary device at the building and placing a second incendiary device at the main entrance causing damage to the front door.

Assi and Alfaqih were the first defendants to be charged under the Hate Crimes Statute. The attack on the synagogue occurred only hours after the new law went into effect at 12:01 A.M. on October 8, 2000.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Cooper, Chief of the Bias Crimes Unit, Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Glucksman and Assistant District Attorney Daniel Wanderman.