Accused bomber, in hospital, faces judge via video
NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Akayed Ullah couldn't physically appear in federal court on Wednesday because of his injuries from the explosion he is accused of setting off. Instead, he appeared via video.
He looked straight into the camera and answered "yes" to the judge's questions. He lay in his hospital bed with his head propped up by a pillow and sheets and blankets covering his burned body.
The 27-year-old from Bangladesh heard the terrorism charges lodged against him. His court-appointed lawyer stood by his side during the proceeding.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said Ullah planned the suicide bombing in the subway walkway for about 2 to 3 weeks but started researching how to build a bomb about a year ago. His goal was to kill as many people as possible.
Kim said he had strapped a pipe bomb filled with screws to his body. The bomb went off when Ullah was in an underground walkway in the subway system. The only person seriously hurt by the pipe bomb explosion was Ullah.
Authorities said he was self-radicalized by watching ISIS propaganda videos online.
Ullah's wife, who lives in Bangladesh, said her husband visited her in September and told her to read the writings and listen to the sermons of a known radical Muslim preacher who is in prison in connection with multiple killings in Bangladesh.
If convicted, Ullah faces life in prison.