Mikhail Chkhikishvili, a neo-Nazi leader from Georgia, was indicted this week in New York City on charges of promoting hate crimes and planning mass violence. He intended to carry out a New Year’s Eve attack in Brooklyn involving a Santa Claus handing out poisoned candy to racial minorities and Jewish children.
According to a US government release, Chikhikvishvili was arrested on July 6, 2024, in Chisinau, Moldova, under an Interpol Wanted Persons Diffusion issued based on a criminal complaint. Chikhikvishvili is accused of being the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, also known as “Maniac Murder Cult”, “Maniac: Cult of Killing”, “MKY”, “MMC” and “MKU”, an international racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist group.
Chakhikvishvili allegedly recruited others to commit violent acts, including planning a mass attack in New York City with an undercover officer posing as a recruiter. U.S. Attorney Brian Peace, Assistant AG Matthew Olson and the FBI’s Christy Curtis announced the charges.
“As alleged, the defendant sought to recruit others to commit violent attacks and murders to advance his neo-Nazi ideologies,” said United States Attorney Peace. “His goal was to spread hate, fear, and destruction by committing bombings, arson, and even poisoning children, all with the intent to harm racial minorities, the Jewish community, and homeless individuals. We will not hesitate to find and prosecute those who threaten the safety and freedom of all members of our community, including members of minority communities, no matter where in the world these criminals hide.”
The government report said Chkhikvishvili led MKY, an international extremist group whose neo-Nazi ideology promotes violence against minorities. MKY aims to disrupt social order through terrorism, with members in the United States and abroad.
Since September 2021, Chikhikvishvili has distributed a “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members, promoting MKY’s principles and urging mass violence. The manifesto includes Chikhikvishvili’s claims to commit murder for the white race and encourages school shootings, the use of children for suicide bombings, and other attacks against racial minorities. It outlines strategies for terrorist attacks, such as targeting large events and crowded streets, particularly in the United States.
