Greek Teen Held in US for Plotting Attack on Hindu Place of Worship
Investigators cite a manifesto expressing white supremacist views and threats against Indian-origin people.
New York: A 19-year-old Greek-origin man has been arrested in the US state of Illinois for allegedly plotting a mass shooting “potentially targeting” a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, with investigators recovering a manifesto expressing white supremacist ideology and references to violence against people of Indian descent.
Alexandros Paporakis, a resident of Palatine near Chicago, was arrested on October 11 and charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon.
According to prosecutors, Paporakis allegedly drove to Aurora intending to carry out the attack, but his rifle jammed when he tried to fire it, forcing him to return home. Police, however, said the specific intended location had not been confirmed and remained under investigation.
Investigators recovered an eight-page document attributed to Paporakis, titled Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto), containing "statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence directed toward individuals of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent".
The manifesto also contained threats against Jewish and African-American communities, investigators said.
According to NBC Chicago, Paporakis, who worked at a Taco Bell outlet, had allegedly planned a "mass shooting of Indian people" at a Hindu temple in Aurora.
He reportedly travelled to the area carrying a modified AR-style rifle, about 300 rounds of ammunition and body armour. After the weapon malfunctioned, he returned home and contacted a co-worker, disclosing his alleged plan.
The co-worker alerted the police, who arrested Paporakis as he was leaving his residence.
During searches, investigators recovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment and items bearing Nazi symbols.
Paporakis appeared before a Cook County court on Wednesday, which ordered his detention pending trial. His next hearing is scheduled for October 30.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago welcomed the swift action by US authorities and said it was in contact with members of the Indian diaspora.
The arrest comes amid Hindu festival celebrations, including Navaratri and Durga Puja, and two weeks after the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was vandalised.
The Hindu American Foundation commended law enforcement for preventing a possible tragedy.
"We also urge the community to stay vigilant and report any potential threat. Every community deserves to worship without fear," it said.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America urged authorities to strengthen security at Hindu places of worship and called on temples to review their safety arrangements.
