Prosecutor Adds Felony Charges, But No Hate Crime Allegations, in Attack on Muslim U.S. State Representative

U.S, Connecticut, HARTFORD – NBCCONNTECTICUT reported this week that the case against Andrey Desmond, took a significant turn as a prosecutor added new felony charges this  week, including sexual assault, in connection with the attack on Connecticut’s first Muslim state representative, Maryam Khan. The incident occurred on June 28 outside a Hartford arena after a prayer service, where Desmond allegedly assaulted Khan and her family.

The initial charges against Desmond were misdemeanours, such as third-degree assault and unlawful restraint. However, during a hearing in Hartford Superior Court, Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott increased the severity of the charges to include third-degree sexual assault, second-degree assault, strangulation, and risk of injury to children.

Khan, a Democrat residing in the Hartford suburb of Windsor, recounted the harrowing ordeal, revealing that Desmond made explicit threats and targeted her during the celebration of Eid al-Adha, an important religious event for Muslims.

As the case progresses, the community anxiously awaits further updates on the pursuit of justice for Representative Khan and the consideration of hate crime charges.