A 25-year-old from Everett has been arrested and ordered held in lieu of a money bond in reference to vandalism on the Massachusetts State Home which drew the bomb squad to take care of a left-behind bundle.
Jermaiah Yusuf Sawaqed was ordered held on bail totaling $30,000 on Monday over a number of felony fees associated to the July 23 vandalism, ccording to the Suffolk County District Lawyer Kevin Hayden’s workplace,
“Sawaqed is charged with vandalizing property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial, and possessing a hoax device,” the DA’s workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Pleas of “not guilty” have been entered in relation to all the fees.
In accordance with the courtroom docket, no attorneys have been obtainable to signify Sawaqed, a scenario that arises because the state’s bar advocates — non-public attorneys assigned to fill the position of public defenders — proceed their ongoing strike for higher pay.
Sawaqed, in accordance with the DA’s workplace, is the person alleged to have dumped white paint on a gate outdoors the State Home earlier than spray portray the phrase “divest” on a concrete pillar and fleeing by the Boston Widespread.
After the vandalism was reported, one other name got here into police {that a} suspicious bundle was sitting in the course of the Widespread. The State Police bomb squad responded “out of an abundance of caution.”
In accordance with the fees, the bundle left behind “likely” contained black powder and could possibly be categorized as incendiary units. Prosecutors allege that Sawaqed’s vandalism comes alongside along with his involvement within the group Direct Motion Motion for Palestinian Liberation.
The Anti-Defamation League describes the group, apparently fashioned this previous spring, as a “radical, far-left, anti-Zionist group known for engaging in violent and destructive ‘direct actions’ against institutions and individuals perceived as being connected to Israel.”
“DAMPL endorses an extreme approach to anti-Israel activity, openly promoting and justifying violence and criminal activity,” the ADL writes of the group.
The state additionally alleges that Sawaqed was concerned within the vandalism of a George Washington statue within the Public Backyard in June.
A warrant was issued for Sawaqed’s arrest on Friday and he was apprehended and delivered to Boston’s Central Municipal Courtroom for an look earlier than Decide Paul M. Treseler on Monday.
Along with the bail, Treseler ordered that Sawaqed should steer clear of downtown Boston if he’s launched.
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