In New York City, a Georgian national faces charges for allegedly orchestrating a violent scheme targeting Jews and racial minorities. Michail Chkhikvishvili, who goes by the moniker “Commander Butcher,” purportedly leads the white supremacist group Maniac Murder Cult, federal prosecutors claim.
The accusations against Chkhikvishvili center around a plot to distribute poison-laced candy to children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn and individuals from racial minority groups. The 20-year-old was apprehended in Moldova on July 6 and charged with soliciting hate crimes and planning acts of mass violence.
Federal authorities assert that since September 2021, Chkhikvishvili circulated a document titled the “Hater’s Handbook,” advocating for violent “terror attacks” to facilitate “ethnic cleansing.” The manual allegedly encouraged school shootings, suicide bombings, and targeting crowded public events.
Using encrypted messaging platforms, Chkhikvishvili purportedly recruited individuals to carry out violent acts on behalf of the Maniac Murder Cult. An undercover FBI agent posing as a potential member engaged in conversations with him, during which Chkhikvishvili allegedly provided instructions for making explosives and Molotov cocktails.
In one exchange, the agent inquired about joining the group, prompting Chkhikvishvili to detail various violent acts, including poisoning and arson. He allegedly instructed the agent on obtaining ricin from castor beans for the planned candy attack, claiming it would dwarf the tragedy caused by right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik.
During a visit to Brooklyn in June 2022, Chkhikvishvili supposedly boasted about committing hate crimes and expressed a desire to instigate further violence. US Attorney Breon Peace condemned his actions, emphasizing the defendant’s intent to spread hatred and fear through destructive means.
The case against Chkhikvishvili highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals promoting extremist ideologies and seeking to incite violence based on racial or religious motives. Authorities remain vigilant in combating such dangerous elements in efforts to safeguard communities from acts of terror and hate crimes.