(FBI): Foiled plot to target the New York State Capitol building

New York, Aug 20 (KUNA) -- The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Thursday evening that it foiled a plot linked to the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) targeting the New York State Capitol building with explosives. In a press release, the FBI said that a defendant named Jessica Boy, 35, from Albany in the state, planned to detonate a bomb inside the New York Capitol building with the aim of killing elected officials and causing widespread damage to the structure. The FBI revealed that the defendant pledged allegiance to ISIS and began planning the attack last July, during which time she communicated with undercover sources “whom she believed were affiliated with the organization.” The bureau noted that Boy’s alleged plans were not limited to targeting the state Capitol “but also included carrying out other attacks after fleeing the country.” For her part, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press statement that she was grateful to the FBI and the state police for their efforts in thwarting the plot and arresting the defendant, emphasizing that authorities had taken measures this year to strengthen security at the Capitol and other state government institutions amid rising political violence and threats against officials. (End) A.S.T. / M.A.A.