Six Pittsburgh Residents Charged in Federal Hate Crime Case

Defendants accused of assaulting Jewish man and obstructing justice

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a Star of David necklace against a pitch-black background, the dramatic lighting and stark contrast creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the antisemitic attack at the center of this story.A federal hate crimes case in Pittsburgh exposes the persistence of antisemitism and the need for vigilance in protecting the right to worship freely.Today in Pittsburgh

Six Pittsburgh-area residents have been federally charged with violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, obstructing justice, and conspiring to obstruct justice in relation to a September 2024 attack on a Jewish man in Oakland. The defendants allegedly made antisemitic statements, physically assaulted the victim, and later discussed the incident and agreed to provide false testimony.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of hate crimes targeting religious and ethnic minorities in the Pittsburgh region, and the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting such acts of violence and bias to the fullest extent of the law.

The details

According to court documents, on September 27, 2024, the six defendants - excluding one named Piracha - were part of a group that made antisemitic statements to a passerby in Oakland after seeing the victim's Star of David necklace. This led to a physical altercation in which defendants Koc and Alshmari allegedly attacked and injured the victim. After the incident, the defendants discussed the attack on social media and in group chats, with Alshmari and Koc admitting their involvement. The indictment also alleges the defendants conspired to obstruct justice by agreeing to provide false testimony about the attack.

  • The incident occurred on September 27, 2024, around 2 a.m. in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
  • The defendants were federally charged on March 30, 2026.

The players

Koc

One of the defendants charged with physically attacking the Jewish victim and obstructing justice.

Alshmari

One of the defendants charged with physically attacking the Jewish victim and obstructing justice.

Piracha

One of the six defendants charged, but not involved in the physical assault.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi

The Attorney General who stated the Department of Justice will prosecute the alleged act of violent antisemitism to the fullest extent of the law.

Carl J. Spindler

The Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We will prosecute this alleged act of violent antisemitism to the fullest extent of the law. This Department of Justice will always protect the First Amendment right to worship freely and without fear for Jewish Americans and all Americans of faith.”

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi

What’s next

The judge will determine sentencing for the defendants, who face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for the hate crime and obstruction of justice charges, and up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fines for the conspiracy to obstruct justice charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing hate crimes and antisemitism in the Pittsburgh region, and the importance of the Department of Justice's efforts to prosecute such acts of bias-motivated violence to the fullest extent of federal law.