(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 7/15/2024) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today welcomed a hate crime charge for an alleged assault targeting an anti-genocide protester in Upper Merion Township.
The suspect, Ilya Zaslavskiy, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with theft by unlawful taking, harassment and ethnic intimidation, among other charges. He was released on $10,000 bail.
The arrest is the result of a July 3 incident in which a 56-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted and hospitalized while exercising her First Amendment right to protest. The woman was attending her weekly protest for justice in Palestine at the corner of DeKalb Pike and Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township when she was allegedly approached by two individuals who reportedly assaulted her.
The interaction reportedly began with the assailants getting out of their cars and approaching her, one assailant brandishing scissors and the other waving an Israeli flag. The pro-Palestine advocate required medical attention and was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Paoli Hospital.
Earlier this month, CAIR-Philadelphia called for hate crime charges in the case.
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Legal Director Adam Alaa Attia, Esq. said:
“Although we do not believe the charges match the severity of the attack and harm it caused, we welcome the arrest and hate crime charge in this case and hope it sends the message that those exercising their right to free speech should not face intimidation of violence.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD, 617-401-5397 (mobile), atekelioglu@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Legal Director Adam Alaa Attia, Esq., aattia@cair.com; 267-515-6710 (voicemail).
