Iranian Plot to Assassinate Journalist in NYC Goes to Trial

The trial of Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, two members of an Eastern European criminal organization, began this week in a New York City federal court. They are accused of plotting to assassinate Iranian-born journalist Masih Alinejad at the behest of the Iranian government.

The Alleged Plot

Prosecutors claim Amirov and Omarov acted as “hired guns” for Iran, aiming to silence Alinejad for her outspoken criticism of the regime. Alinejad, a Voice of America contributor and prominent activist, has been a vocal critic of Iran's human rights abuses and its suppression of dissent. The prosecution alleges the Iranian government offered $500,000 for the assassination.

Key evidence includes the testimony of Khalid Mahdiyev, the alleged hitman, who was arrested with a loaded AK-47 near Alinejad's residence. Mahdiyev's testimony is expected to be crucial to the prosecution's case.

The Defense's Argument

Defense attorneys argue their clients are innocent and that the prosecution's evidence is circumstantial. They plan to discredit Mahdiyev, describing him as a “murderer, kidnapper, arsonist, robber, extortionist, scammer, fraudster, and liar.” One attorney suggested Omarov was a “scam artist” who simply conned the Iranian government out of money, without any intention of carrying out the assassination.

Alinejad's Testimony

Alinejad's testimony will be pivotal. She is expected to detail her reasons for opposing the Iranian regime and the threats she has faced, including attempts to kidnap her and imprison her brother. Her activism, particularly her encouragement of Iranian women to defy the hijab mandate, is cited as the reason for her becoming a target.

This trial is significant, highlighting the lengths to which some governments will go to silence dissent and exposing the alleged involvement of organized crime in international assassination attempts.