Two Men Convicted of Plot to Kill Iranian Dissident Masih Alinejad

A jury has reached a verdict, finding two men guilty on all charges in connection with a plot to murder Iranian dissident and journalist, Masih Alinejad, based in New York City. The defendants, identified as Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, reportedly affiliated with organized crime from Russia. The upcoming sentencing in September may result in lengthy prison terms for the convicted.

The Charges and Emotions

The allegations against Amirov and Omarov encompass murder for hire, illegal possession of firearms, and plotting to launder money. Alinejad, after the trial, expressed a sense of relief at the verdict, but emphasized that the primary orchestrators of the crime remain in power in Iran. She specifically called for accountability for Iranian leaders, particularly highlighting Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards.

Despite the verdict, Alinejad conveyed a mix of emotions, stating, "Right now, I am bombarded with emotions. I have cried, I have laughed, I have even danced. Because today is not just about my survival; it is about the defeat and humiliation of a regime that believes it can silence its critics with bullets. They failed. I am still here. And I will keep fighting until every criminal in that regime faces their reckoning."

Details About the Plot

The criminal plot against Alinejad was not only a one-time occurrence but rather a series of targeted efforts orchestrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian government allegedly placed a substantial $500,000 bounty on her head, aiming to eliminate her as a voice of dissent living in Brooklyn, New York. This was not merely an isolated incident, Alinejad has been threatened with various measures, including kidnapping, by Iranian authorities.

The evidentiary aspect of the case was bolstered by the testimony of an individual, previously hired to execute the assassination, who was apprehended in 2022. This person's account provided valuable insights into the intricacies of the plot.

Who is Masih Alinejad?

Alinejad, a prominent journalist and activist, fled Iran in 2009 under coercive circumstances that involved the confiscation of her passport and an order prohibiting her from reporting on the Iranian elections. After relocating to the US, she continued to cover Iranian matters, notably through her work with Voice of America.

During her testimony, Alinejad shed light on the accusations aimed at her by the Iranian regime, purporting that she was a CIA agent, among other unfounded claims. She also spoke about her advocacy campaigns in 2022, which included calls for boycotting Iranian sports events and advocating for the removal of the hijab by women in Iran.

Highlighting the impact of her social media presence, she stated, "My social media is like my weapon." She utilized her platforms to amplify the struggles of Iranian women, sharing videos documenting their confrontations with morality police for defying the hijab mandate. Prosecutors linked this activism to the assassination plot against her.

The Witness and Arrest

The case also involved the testimony from an individual affiliated with the Russian mob, who entered a plea deal and provided crucial evidence regarding the murder plot. This person's involvement included surveilling Alinejad's residence, as well as possessing an AK-47 at the time of arrest for a seemingly trivial traffic violation.

Alinejad recalled a particularly unsettling experience, recounting, "I saw the big guy. He was gigantic," referring to the individual allegedly involved in the plot. This encounter added a sense of tangible threat to the already perilous situation.