Former University of Chicago sophomore Aram Brunson was charged with lying to federal officials after accidentally setting off a bomb in his dorm room while trying to conceal a plot to support Armenian causes through militant action. Prosecutors believe that Brunson was an extremist who was practicing bomb-making skills to inspire Armenian militants to join his cause. The FBI uncovered evidence that Brunson had made videos teaching others how to make explosive devices, rig doors with grenades, and form a revolutionary group. Additionally, his internet searches suggested plans to take action against foreign diplomatic facilities in the United States.
Federal authorities issued an arrest warrant for Brunson after traces of explosive material were found in his luggage at Boston Logan International Airport. However, by that time, he had already left the country and is believed to be living in Yerevan, Armenia, and attending an American university. Charges against Brunson include falsifying material facts and making false statements to federal officials, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Further investigation uncovered that Brunson had gunpowder in his dorm room and had made videos detailing how to form and arm a revolutionary group. His bomb-making activities were linked to his desire to take militant action against Azerbaijanis and others in conflict with ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite initially claiming the fire in his dorm room was caused by cooking, further evidence revealed his involvement in creating explosive devices and planning violent actions.
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