Akayed hears charges via video conferencing from hospital bed

Lying in a hospital bed, New York blast suspect Akayed Ullah has heard his charges via video. The-27-year-old was linked to a Manhattan federal courtroom by video, reports NBC News. This was his first court appearance after allegedly setting off a pipe bomb in a subway passageway near Port Authority carried out in the name of Islamic State. Akayed spoke with a few words while answering questions from the judge about the charges regarding material support of a terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction. As he spoke longer when asked about his finances, his public defender cut him off. Federal prosecutors asked that he be held without bail, and his lawyer did not oppose that. He is therefore to remain in custody at least until his next court date on January 13. New York police arrested Akayed after he reportedly detonated a homemade bomb strapped to his body at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on December 11. He and three others were injured in the attack. After the blast, Akayed told police interviewers that “I did it for the Islamic State,” according to court papers filed by federal prosecutors. According to the documents, he also told investigators that he had been motivated by American air strikes on Islamic State target. The Bangladeshi migrant was charged in a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court with providing material in support to a foreign terrorist organization, bombing a public place, destruction of property by means of explosive and use of a destructive device. Earlier, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said Akayed had no criminal record in Bangladesh and had last visited the country on September 8.