A Georgian national, identified as Michail Chkhikvishvili, was extradited from Moldova to face severe charges including soliciting hate crimes and planning a mass casualty attack in New York City, federal authorities announced. Chkhikvishvili, who went by various aliases such as "Mishka," "Michael," and "Commander Butcher," appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn federal court following his extradition yesterday, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
According to the indictment, Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, or MKY, rallied others to commit violent acts in line with the group's extremist ideologies, specifically targeting New York City for a proposed mass casualty attack. United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi remarked that this case is a "stark reminder" of the online networks conspiring to commit "unspeakable acts of violence," particularly against the Jewish community, and vowed that the Justice Department will actively confront such hate-fueled terrorism, without respect for borders or distance.
The charges laid against Chkhikvishvili include recruitment for a hate-driven violent campaign against racial minorities and Jews, as well as detailed plotting of heinous acts involving poison, suicide bombs, and firearms. "As alleged, the defendant, a white supremacist, recruited others to participate in a violent campaign of hatred," United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. stated. He emphasized the significant progress made with Chkhikvishvili's extradition in the pursuit of justice for these "reprehensible and vile" acts.
The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, included contributions from over 50 federal, state, and local agencies, showcasing a collaborative effort to tackle violent extremism. FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia outlined Chkhikvishvili's targets, stating he "allegedly attempted to recruit people to commit mass casualty attacks here in New York City —specifically targeting the Jewish community—in the name of his heinous and depraved ideology," as detailed by the Department of Justice's release. The extradition sends a message that authorities are unwavering in their commitment to prosecute those intent on spreading racially motivated violence.
Chkhikvishvili's Neo-Nazi group subscribes to an accelerationist ideology and has membership both in the United States and internationally. He distributed a manifesto called the "Hater’s Handbook" to incite mass violence and "ethnic cleansing." The NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch elaborated that Chkhikvishvili's plans were not just idle threats, but "detailed plans" that posed an imminent danger to the targeted communities. Chkhikvishvili's past solicitation of violence has led to attacks globally, including a deadly stabbing incident broadcast live from Turkey that referenced his manifesto, as per the Department of Justice's release.
If convicted of the charges, Chkhikvishvili faces a range of serious penalties, including up to 20 years' imprisonment for soliciting violent felonies and distributing information on explosives and poisons, as well as additional time for conspiring to solicit violent felonies and transmitting threatening communications. Authorities stress that the indictment contains allegations, and Chkhikvishvili will remain innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution is being conducted by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section, with Assistant United States Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich in charge, receiving assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Counterterrorism Section and other specialists.
