A federal grand jury in Michigan indicted 12 defendants on charges related to a campaign of threats and property damage targeting University of Michigan officials and businesses, with the stated goal of forcing the institution to sever ties with Israel.
The defendants, associated with the University of Michigan, allegedly coordinated criminal activity beginning after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. According to the indictment filed October 21, they used encrypted messages, social media, and online platforms to research, target, and threaten victims. Their actions included spray painting threats on homes and businesses, breaking windows, and throwing glass jars filled with butyric acid.
The indictment states the defendants marked targets with symbols associated with Hamas, including red inverted triangles and red handprints. They posted photos of their actions on social media with messages such as "you cannot hide" and "we only come back stronger."
The group targeted University of Michigan's president, chief investment officer, provost, members of the Board of Regents, a university police officer, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and businesses including Rolls Royce Solutions America and Maersk. According to court documents, the defendants and unindicted conspirators posted demands on October 20, 2023, requiring the university to make "full and complete divestment" from Israel and businesses supporting Israel.
Eight of the 12 defendants faced original indictment in May. The superseding indictment adds charges of witness intimidation and destruction of property to prevent seizure for two defendants.
Two defendants, Paige Elizabeth Feyock and Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, allegedly exchanged messages discussing harming targets and their families through various means. Korkaya, identified as a medical student, wrote about driving his car into an address and poisoning someone he claimed to later treat as a doctor.