SCN Applauds Arrest and Charges of Georgian Neo-Nazi Figurehead for Planning Mass Casualty Attack Targeting Jews and Minorities

The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, applauds the diligent work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the FBI, to include the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) — which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies — in the arrest and charging of Michail Chkhikvishvili, 20, a leader of the “Maniac Murder Cult” (MKY) — an international racially-motivated violent extremist group that maintains membership in the United States.

Chkhikvishvili is charged with soliciting hate crimes and planning a mass casualty attack targeting racial minorities and the Jewish community in New York City. Also known as “Commander Butcher,” Chkhikvishvili was apprehended in Moldova on 06 July 2024 following an Interpol warrant. His plans allegedly included distributing poisoned candy to Jewish children via individuals dressed as Santa Claus. Additionally, he allegedly authored a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook,” which encourages acts of violence against minorities, including Jews.

In 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited an undercover FBI agent to commit bombings and arsons aimed at harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals, and others, which involved providing detailed plans and materials for making bombs and manuals on creating lethal poisons and gases, according to the criminal complaint. Some of the materials allegedly shared by Chkhikvishvili with undercover FBI agents have links to jihadist groups and designated foreign terrorist organizations such as the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

Chkhikvishvili faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted on all four of his charges, which include soliciting violent felonies, conspiring to solicit violent felonies, distributing information about making and using explosives, and spreading threatening communications.

In 2023, SCN logged a record 5,404 threat incidents and suspicious activity reports, 112% higher than 2022’s total of 2,551. Additionally, SCN worked closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, to refer 1,619 individuals to authorities in 2023 — a 110% increase in referrals from 2022.

In response to this complex and dynamic threat environment, SCN has worked in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities and local and national Jewish community partners to respond to these incidents and ensure coordination between law enforcement and the Jewish community across North America.

SCN urges every community to remain vigilant and recommit to preparation, review and enforce existing security protocols, and maintain coordination and communication with law enforcement and security personnel. For imminent threats or emergencies, dial 9-1-1, and report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement as well as appropriate local reporting authorities, and SCN’s 24/7 Duty Desk at [email protected] or by calling 844-SCN-DESK.

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