Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 21-year-old Georgian national and alleged leader of the neo-Nazi group known as the “Maniac Murder Cult” (MKY), has been extradited from Moldova to the United States. He faces multiple felony charges, including soliciting hate crimes and planning acts of mass violence.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Chkhikvishvili is accused of orchestrating a plot to carry out a mass casualty attack in New York City. The plan involved an individual dressed as Santa Claus distributing poisoned candy to Jewish and minority children during New Year’s Eve celebrations. This scheme was uncovered by an undercover FBI agent posing as a recruit.
Chkhikvishvili is also linked to a deadly school shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where a 17-year-old student killed one person and injured another before taking his own life. The attacker reportedly cited Chkhikvishvili and MKY in his writings and livestreamed part of the attack.
The “Maniac Murder Cult” is described as an international, racially motivated violent extremist group that promotes violence against racial minorities and the Jewish community. Chkhikvishvili allegedly authored a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook,” which encourages readers to commit acts of mass violence, including school shootings and attacks on public gatherings.
Chkhikvishvili was arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, where he pleaded not guilty. He is currently detained without bond, and a status conference is scheduled for June 11.
If convicted, Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for solicitation of violent felonies.