Posted on January 15, 2021

Journalist Charged over Antifa Stabbing Attack in Albany

Andy Ngo and Mia Cathell, The Post Millennial, January 11, 2021

An admitted Antifa member and independent journalist was arrested over the stabbing of two Trump supporters outside the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Wednesday. One of the victims had an eviscerated bowel and required emergency surgery.

Alexander Stokes Contompasis, 37, of Rensselaer, N.Y., has been charged with felony first-degree assault, second-degree assault, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing over the stabbings of two men that occurred during a brawl in East Capitol Park between Antifa and pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” protesters.

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Melissa Carpinello, an attorney for Contompasis, claims that her client acted in self-defense, Times Union reported.

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The two stabbing victims, ages 36 and 40, were transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment. The 40-year-old male was stabbed in the left side of his lower abdomen and is reported to now be in stable condition.

The brawl was captured on camera. The Albany County district attorney’s office on Saturday released video surveillance of the fight.

Contompasis can be seen wearing a purple shirt over a gray hooded sweatshirt with aviator sunglasses. He appears to run into the crowd several times and strike others. {snip}

Contompasis has a long history of militant far-left activism and involvement in Antifa despite identifying as a journalist. In one of many photos uploaded on his Facebook profile under the pseudonym “Alex Stokes,” he is holding a rifle with a large hunting knife strapped to his side. Text over the photo reads, “I am Antifa.” Contompasis makes references to being a “SHARP” member — Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice — in his posts. The SHARP group is used as fighters and brawlers at Antifa riots.

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Contompasis also has an extensive arrest history related to political violence. He was arrested at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017 in the capital and charged with felony riot and setting a limousine on fire. He claimed that he was reporting at the time of his arrest. His charges were later dropped when international law firm Hogan and Lovell took on his case pro bono. He also defended the property damage caused by the black bloc rioters.

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Later in 2017, Contompasis went to Charlottesville, Va. to violently protest against the far-right. He was photographed punching an older man in the back of the head.

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