Neo-Nazi leader admits guilt in New York for recruiting for violent hate acts

Eastern European Neo-Nazi Group Leader Pleads Guilty in New York

The leader of a neo-Nazi group from Eastern Europe has admitted guilt in a New York court regarding his efforts to recruit individuals for violent acts aimed at Jews and racial minorities. Notably, one shocking plan involved disguising as Santa Claus to distribute poisoned candy to children.

Mikhail Chikvishvili, 22, from the Republic of Georgia and known as “Commander Butcher,” confessed in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday to soliciting hate crimes and sharing guidance for creating explosive devices and the toxic substance ricin.

Authorities claim that Chikvishvili led the Maniac Murder Cult, a violent extremist group pushing for racial and religious conflict. He was extradited from Moldova to New York in May.

FBI Director Kash Patel remarked on the seriousness of the plea, stating that Chikvishvili’s actions represent a horrifying conspiracy against Jewish and minority communities, including plans to poison children during holiday festivities.

After visiting Brooklyn in June 2022, Chikvishvili began promoting violent hate crimes via the encrypted app Telegram, often reaching out to individuals who turned out to be undercover FBI agents, according to prosecutors.

He has reportedly been distributing a manifesto, called the Haters Handbook, since at least 2021, encouraging mass violence like school shootings.

Prosecutors contend that he directed undercover agents to commit bombings and arson against Jewish and minority communities by November 2023. He also plotted a mass casualty event in New York City on New Year’s Eve, with attackers posing as Santa handing out poisoned candy. Furthermore, in January, he targeted Jewish schools and communities in Brooklyn, sharing detailed instructions for making deadly toxins, including ricin.

Federal officials assert that Chikvishvili’s inflammatory words have incited real violence. For example, in January 2025, a gunman at Antioch High School in Nashville killed one student and injured another, claiming affiliation with the Maniac Murder cult.

In August 2024, a separate attacker live-streamed a stabbing spree outside a mosque in Turkey, wearing a vest with Nazi symbols, and referenced Chikvishvili and his propaganda in his manifesto.