QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — A man is accused of kicking and punching a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf after asking her about her faith on a Queens train, authorities said.
Naved Durrni, 34, asked the woman where she was from and if she was Muslim before he allegedly attacked her on an E train near Queens Boulevard and 75th Avenue at around 4 a.m. Wednesday, prosecutors said.
The woman told Durrni she was Muslim. He then allegedly slapped, punched, and kicked her in the face with his heavy work boots, according to court records.
The woman was taken to the hospital with a fractured eye and nasal bone, as well as bruising and swelling, prosecutors said.
Durrni, who lives in Jamaica, Queens, ran out of the station before police arrested him several blocks away, officials said.
The defendant was arraigned Thursday on charges of assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, according to court records.
“Bigotry, hate and violence against the Muslim community or any
community that faces discrimination will be met with serious consequences from my office,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
The suspect’s lawyer could not immediately be reached Friday.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.
