A 20-year-old Ohio man has pleaded guilty in federal court to violently attacking two Jewish students near The Ohio State University simply because of their religious identity. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the plea as a hate crime under federal law.
Timur Mamatov, of Tipp City, Ohio, admitted to approaching a group of five students outside a Columbus bar on November 10, 2023. He asked one student if he was Jewish after spotting a Chai necklace. When the student confirmed, Mamatov punched him in the face, fracturing his jaw. Another student who attempted to intervene sustained a fractured nose during the altercation.
Mamatov acknowledged in court that he assaulted the students because they were Jewish. The plea falls under the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He now faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker stated, “No American should fear being violently attacked based on their religious beliefs.” FBI Assistant Director Luis Quesada called the crime “an attack on the fundamental values of this nation” and warned that hate crimes send a message of fear that impacts entire communities.
The Department of Justice emphasized its continued commitment to prosecuting acts of religiously motivated violence. The FBI conducted the investigation with support from local law enforcement.
Mamatov’s plea serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by religious hatred and the necessity of swift legal consequences for those who commit violent acts rooted in bias.
