Washington: A man of Indian origin was arrested in Washington after he crashed a truck into security barriers near the White House. After the crash, he took out a Nazi flag from his backpack. He later told the authorities that he wanted to kill the US president and admired Adolf Hitler.
Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, has said that his goal was to “get to the White House, seize power and be put in charge of the nation”, according to an affidavit filed in a US District Court. When asked how he planned to seize power, Kandula said he would “kill the president if that’s what I have to do and would hurt anyone that would stand in my way”. He had been planning the attack for six months, Kandula told the investigators.
Among other offences, Kandula has been charged with threatening to kill or kidnap or harm a president, vice president or family members. Kandula, a resident of Missouri, flew in to Washington and rented a truck from near the airport, according to the affidavit. Around 9.35 pm, he drove onto security barriers on a pavement near Lafayette Square, a park in front of the White House. He then put the truck in reverse and drove into the barriers again.
After he was held, Kandula told the security officials that he admired the “great history” of the Nazis and their “authoritarian nature, eugenics and their one world order”. Kandula also said that he looked up to Hitler “because he was a strong leader”, the affidavit stated.
Faces 10-year jail
During a hearing, a US magistrate judge informed Kandula that the charges he’s facing carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or a combination of the two. It also carries a mandatory restitution payment.