Jewish Women Called 'Dirty Muslims' By Attacker In Forest Hills, DA Says

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS – A man assaulted a mother and daughter after calling them "dirty Muslims" as they exited the 67th Avenue subway stop in Forest Hills, according to authorities.

Dimitrios Zias, 40, told the women, 57 and 37, "Go back to your f-----g country, you dirty Muslims," at the subway at Queens Boulevard and 67th Ave. around 2 p.m. Sept. 13, police said. The Anti-Defamation League said the women were Orthodox Jews.

When the daughter asked Zias what he meant, he spat in her face and punched here, according to the Queens DA.

The criminal compliant said when the mother tried to intervene as Zias pummeled her daughter, the attacker turned on her, grabbing a handful of her hair and punching her in the face and head.

The victims called 911 and Zias was arrested near the scene, according to police.

"I don't understand why I'm being arrested. Is it because I'm rich and white?" Zias allegedly told officers.

The mother suffered a laceration to her lip and bruising on her face and body, according to prosecutors. The daughter was left with bruises to her elbow and back.

The NYPD said its Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the case.

Zias faces two counts of third-degree assault as a hate crime, among other charges. Bail was set at $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash.

On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League condemned the attack.

“An assailant’s particular perceptions need not be accurate for an attack fueled by hate to be a potential hate crime," Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, said in a statement. "All violence harassment or bullying motivated by religious animus is abhorrent."

Lead image via Google Maps.