8 people linked to University of Michigan are indicted over alleged anti-Israel threat campaign

(WWJ) Federal prosecutors unsealed a 63-page grand jury indictment on Wednesday charging eight people associated with the University of Michigan for allegedly orchestrating a violent campaign of threats and vandalism aimed at forcing U-M to cut ties with Israel.

According to the Department of Justice, the defendants targeted university leaders, law enforcement officials, local businesses, and community organizations — including the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit — in an attempt to terrorize them into compliance.

The 63-page, obtained by WWJ Newsradio 950, states:

“Their goal included forcing the University of Michigan and other businesses to sever all perceived ties with the State of Israel. To accomplish this goal, the defendants and their unindicted conspirators, in the Eastern District of Michigan and elsewhere, used encrypted messages, social media, and overseas collaboration platforms to research, target, and attack their victims. Then, they posted pictures of their attacks on social media, along with additional threats and warnings.”

The multi-state law enforcement operation led to arrests across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The eight named in the federal indictment are:

Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, 23, of Canton, MIAmatullah Aliasgar Hakim, 21, of Ann Arbor, MIPaige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann Arbor, MIAhmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee, WIJonathan Hongru Zou, 22, of Ann Arbor, MIAlexander Matthew Sepulveda, 23, of Chicago, ILMariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, of Dearborn, MIColin Hunter Weger, 24, of Ann Arbor, MI

The indictment alleges that the defendants, along with unindicted conspirators, held meetings to plan, and collaborated to identify specific targets, including University of Michigan leadership, businesses, and anyone else whom they believed supported Israel.

It’s alleged that the group went online to research addresses, photos, political and social connections, business ownership, and other personal details. “They performed surveillance on their targets and counter-surveillance on law enforcement. They discussed methods by which to harm their targets and their families, including poison, bombs, and psychological torture,” the indictment says, adding:

“Their criminal activity included spray painting threats, breaking windows, and throwing glass jars filled with noxious chemicals into family homes. They marked their victims with threatening symbols used by Hamas, including red inverted triangles and red handprints. They used the internet and social media to broadcast their message to ensure their threats and commitment to continuing criminal activity were heard by their victims and others who support Israel.”

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest on this developing story.