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Reports: Illinois Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Stabbing of Muslim Boy

Wadea Al-Fayoume's father, Oday Al-Fayoume, right, and his uncle Mahmoud Yousef attend a vigil for Wadea at Prairie Activity and Recreation center in Plainfield, Ill., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)
Wadea Al-Fayoume's father, Oday Al-Fayoume, right, and his uncle Mahmoud Yousef attend a vigil for Wadea at Prairie Activity and Recreation center in Plainfield, Ill., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)
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Reports: Illinois Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Stabbing of Muslim Boy

Wadea Al-Fayoume's father, Oday Al-Fayoume, right, and his uncle Mahmoud Yousef attend a vigil for Wadea at Prairie Activity and Recreation center in Plainfield, Ill., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)
Wadea Al-Fayoume's father, Oday Al-Fayoume, right, and his uncle Mahmoud Yousef attend a vigil for Wadea at Prairie Activity and Recreation center in Plainfield, Ill., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)

An Illinois man charged with murder and hate crimes for stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy to death and wounding his mother pleaded not guilty before a judge on Monday at an arraignment, according to multiple media accounts.

Police say Joseph Czuba, 71, the family's landlord, targeted them for their religion and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, police said.

His attorney George Lenard entered the plea for him and Czuba, appearing in a red jail uniform, did not speak, an NBC News affiliate in Chicago reported on Monday.

He is charged with the fatal stabbing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, and the wounding of his mother Hanaan Shahin, 32, on Oct. 14, in Plainfield Township, about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Chicago.

The boy was stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife with a 7-inch (18-cm) serrated blade, the Will County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Czuba's attorney was not immediately available to Reuters for comment on Monday. Lenard has previously told the media that he will not comment outside the courtroom.

Czuba entered the plea at an arraignment in Joilet, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, on eight counts, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and hate crimes.

"Detectives were able to determine that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis," the Will County Sheriff's Office said in a statement earlier.

The Department of Justice has also opened a federal investigation into Al-Fayoume's death.

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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)

As diplomatic activity intensified around Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran moved to reestablish firm “red lines” ahead of anticipated talks with the United States next week. On the same day, Russia encouraged both sides to pursue a “fair agreement,” while the European Union urged Iran to help de-escalate regional tensions.

Iranian officials adopted a tough tone, insisting that upcoming negotiations must remain strictly confined to the nuclear issue. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized that Tehran is committed to diplomacy, but said the US must show genuine goodwill.

“Our red lines are clear. We are only discussing the nuclear file and will remain firm in our rightful stance,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

The talks were originally scheduled for the previous weekend but were postponed due to what Oman’s foreign minister described as “logistical reasons.” The next round—reportedly the fourth—is now expected to take place early next week in Muscat. While Iranian outlet Nournews reported that the talks would resume on Sunday, a source close to the Iranian negotiation team said dates were still under discussion.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, affirming Moscow’s support for a “fair agreement” grounded in international law. According to a Kremlin statement, Russia reiterated its willingness to assist the negotiation process.

Later that day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging a de-escalation of regional tensions and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to diplomacy. She also raised concerns about Iran’s military support for Russia and the detention of EU citizens.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi echoed those concerns in a separate conversation with Kallas, underscoring the agency’s central role in monitoring nuclear compliance.

In Tehran, former MP Elias Naderan warned against surrendering Iran’s nuclear capabilities, cautioning that Western powers might treat Iran like Libya if it concedes too much. “Sanctions only strengthen resistance,” he said, urging cooperation without compromising national principles.