A 30-year-old New Britain man, Andrey Desmond, was arrested in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday for allegedly assaulting State Representative Maryam Khan during Eid al-Adha celebrations at the XL Center. Khan, a Democrat, was observing the Muslim holiday with her three children, a friend, and her sister when the incident occurred.

According to reports, Desmond approached the group, made inappropriate comments, then physically attacked Khan, striking her and throwing her to the ground. A fellow attendee intervened, detaining Desmond until law enforcement arrived. Desmond now faces charges of second-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, and interfering with police.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Connecticut chapter (CAIR-CT) provided further details, stating that Khan's children, aged 10, 12, and 15, witnessed the assault. CAIR-CT is urging a thorough investigation into the incident, including the possibility of it being a hate crime, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of the Muslim community, particularly during religious holidays. They noted that Eid al-Adha is a time of prayer, gift-giving, charity, and community gatherings, commemorating Abraham's devotion to God.

Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas, both Democrats, issued a joint statement condemning the attack, highlighting the unfortunate timing during a sacred occasion. They expressed support for Khan, acknowledging her leadership and commitment to her faith and community.