(SANTA CLARA, CA, 12/11/23) – The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of a suspect on charges of vandalism and hate crime targeting a Muslim individual in Monterey.
On December 3, the individual sitting in his vehicle in the 300 block of Pine Street reported that the suspect, later identified as Mikhail Faybyshev, approached and began scratching something into the side of his vehicle then fled when he realized the vehicle was occupied. Faybyshev was subsequently apprehended by the police, who said they had video footage of the incident.
The Monterey Police Department has stated that Faybyshev admitted to committing the crime and targeted the victim because “they were Muslim.” As a result, Faybyshev faces charges of vandalism and hate crime.
SEE: Monterey man arrested on suspicion of anti-Muslim hate crime.
In a statement, Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA Zahra Billoo said, “We welcome the arrest of the suspect and appreciate the efforts of the Monterey Police Department in swiftly investigating this alleged hate crime. Individuals who perpetrate acts of hate must be held accountable for their actions. This sends a strong message that our community will not tolerate such acts of bigotry.”
This crime follows another hate-motivated incident on a Sand City beach, where a man vandalized a “Free Gaza” sign created by three young Palestinians and is accused of having choked the 13-year-old child in the group.
Last week, CAIR issued updated civil rights data showing that its chapters and offices across the country have received a staggering 2,171 complaints over the past two months—a 172 percent increase over a similar two-month period the previous year—as Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate “spin out of control” amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
CAIR-SFBA reiterates its commitment to combating bigotry, racism, and hate in all its forms and encourages those experiencing acts of aggression, racism, and Islamophobia to contact its Civil Rights Department at 408.986.9874.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Senior Communications Coordinator Lorrie Adam, ladam@cair.com, 408.986.9874