New York Truck Attack Suspect Charged With Terrorism

An Uzbek immigrant has been charged by United States prosecutors with causing the deaths of at least eight people in New York by mowing them down in a truck.

Sayfullo Saipov, 29, is also accused of providing material support and resources to Islamic State (IS) group.

He was shot and injured by Police at the scene of the attack, and received treatment in hospital. Prosecutors say Saipov spoke freely to them, waiving his right to avoid self-incrimination while in custody.

US President Donald Trump tweeted that he should receive the death penalty, even though it has been abolished in New York State. Tuesday afternoon’s attack saw a truck driven down a cycle lane in Lower Manhattan, hitting cyclists and pedestrians.

Six people died at the scene and two more in hospital. Twelve people were injured, nine of whom remain in hospital.

Federal court papers allege:

Mr Saipov said the attack was planned two months ago

He said he had intentionally chosen Halloween so that the streets would be crowded

He wanted to display IS flags on the truck, but decided not to draw attention to himself

Authorities recovered 90 graph- ic and violent IS propaganda videos from his phones

He said he was inspired by them – in particular, one in which IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asks what Muslims are doing to avenge deaths in Iraq.

A second Uzbek man wanted for questioning in connection with the attacks has been found, investigators say.