New York Attorney's Office brings new charges against suspect in Turkish House attack

By Islam Dogru and Iclal Turan

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (AA) - The suspect accused of attacking the Turkevi Center, or Turkish House, in New York City last month was arrested again early Tuesday, according to the US Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York.

Recep Akbiyik, 29, was arrested and will be presented Tuesday before US Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, according to the US attorney's office.

It said Akbiyik is charged with damaging property occupied by a foreign government, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

"Akbiyik used a metal bar to shatter the glass of 10 windows and two doors of the building housing the Turkish Consulate General in New York, New York (the “Turkish Consulate")," it said.

"As these charges make clear, people who attack diplomatic facilities or their employees within the United States will be held accountable for their actions," US Attorney Damian Williams said in the statement.

Akbiyik, who is identified by authorities as the primary suspect in the May 22 attack against “Turkish House (Turkevi),” was taken into custody four days after the attack.

In his previous appearance in court, the judge prohibited Akbiyik from approaching the Turkish House and its vicinity.

The court ordered Akbiyik’s supervised release on May 28 as he was referred to the psychiatry and neurology department at Bellevue Hospital to assess his mental condition.

The center houses diplomatic offices, including Türkiye's UN Mission and New York Consulate General.

Turkish authorities strongly condemned the attack and urged their US counterparts to provide necessary protection to ensure the safety of their diplomatic missions.