YONKERS MAN SENTENCED TO A MAXIMUM TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED ARSON AT A RIVERDALE SYNAGOGUE AS A HATE CRIME

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year old Yonkers man, Mazin Assi, has been sentenced to a maximum term of up to fifteen years imprisonment for his role in an attempted firebombing at a synagogue in Riverdale.

Assi, of 2 Landscape Place, Yonkers, was convicted last December of Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree, as Hate Crimes, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree and Aggravated Harassment in the 1st degree. Assi was found guilty after a day of deliberations following a three month trial.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett sentenced Assi to the maximum term of five to fifteen years imprisonment on the arson charge with current sentences of two and a third to seven years on the criminal mischief and weapons possession charges and one and a third to four years on the charge of aggravated harassment.

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson said the punishment was most fitting and hopefully would be a deterrent to others who would resort to criminal behavior because of prejudice: "Protecting everyone demands that we permit no one to be attacked because of who they are. Our mission is to make the community safe for Jews, Arabs and all of the people of Bronx County."

A second defendant, 22 year old Mohammed Alfaqih, also of Yonkers, was sentenced last February 26, 2003, to a maximum term of up to four years imprisonment for his role in the attack on the synagogue. Alfaqih was found guilty of Criminal Mischief in the third degree on December 16, 2002 after four days of deliberations.

The assault on the Congregation of Adath Israel of Riverdale occurred on October 8, 2000 on the eve of Yom Kipur, the holiest day in the Jewish year. One incendiary device was thrown at the building while a second device was placed at the main entrance, causing damage to the front door.

These crimes were the first to be charged under the Hate Crimes Statute which went into effect only hours before the attack on the synagogue occurred.

The case was 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 of the Investigations Division.