A federal jury in Manhattan has convicted Rafat Amirov, 46, and Polad Omarov, 40, for orchestrating a failed assassination attempt on U.S.-based Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The plot, reportedly financed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps with a payment of $500,000, aimed to silence Alinejad, a prominent critic of Tehran's regime and advocate for women's rights.
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| U.S.-based Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad |
The defendants, alleged members of a Russian organized crime group, were found guilty on multiple charges, including murder-for-hire. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that in July 2022, co-conspirator Khalid Mehdiyev was apprehended near Alinejad's Brooklyn residence, armed with an AK-47 rifle. Mehdiyev, who later cooperated with authorities, testified that he had been tasked with executing the assassination.
Alinejad recounted a chilling encounter during her testimony, describing how she noticed a suspicious individual standing among the sunflowers in her front yard, staring directly at her, which left her feeling panicked and alarmed.
The convictions underscore the persistent threats faced by dissidents and journalists critical of authoritarian regimes, even when residing abroad. U.S. authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting individuals from transnational repression and ensuring that those who attempt to undermine freedoms through intimidation or violence are brought to justice.
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| Rafat Amirov, 46, and Polad Omarov, 40 |
Sentencing for Amirov and Omarov is scheduled for September 17, where they could face life imprisonment. The case highlights the complex challenges posed by international plots on U.S. soil and the ongoing efforts to safeguard press freedom and human rights globally.