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Anita Alvarez
Cook County State's Attorney
Communications Department
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-3423
saomedia@cookcountygov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 3, 2010

Two Southwest Suburban men are facing upgraded charges for an incident in which they attacked a female victim and shouted anti-gay slurs at her in June according to the office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Mohammad Shaban, 35, of Hickory Hills and Akram Alshoweat, 22, of Oak Lawn are charged with felony hate crime and robbery. If convicted they face up to seven years in prison.

According to prosecutors, on the evening of June 28 the victim was entering a Hickory Hills restaurant when the defendants began shouting in Arabic at the victim. When translated, it was determined that the defendants made numerous disparaging remarks and anti-gay slurs.

When the victim exited the restaurant, she was attacked by the defendants who began to punch and kick her. They took her cell phone, keys, and wallet. Hickory Hills Police responded to the incident and charged both defendants with misdemeanor battery.

When the circumstances surrounding the incident were brought to the attention of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecutors reviewed the crime and filed the upgraded felony charges.

Alshoweat was arrested and appeared in court last week where his bond was set at $200,000. Shaban turned himself into police this morning and his bond was set at $150,000 this afternoon.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on August 17 for a preliminary hearing in Bridgeview.

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