Iran-Backed Plot to Assassinate Journalist Masih Alinejad Ends in Trial

A botched assassination attempt on Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad, allegedly orchestrated by Iran, is under scrutiny in a New York federal court.

• Masih Alinejad, a vocal critic of the Iranian regime and advocate for women's rights, has survived multiple assassination attempts since fleeing Iran in 2009.
• The ongoing trial in New York involves two Azerbaijani nationals accused of hiring Khalid Mehdiyev, a hitman, to kill Alinejad on behalf of Iran's government for $500,000.
• Mehdiyev, paid $30,000 for the job, made numerous errors, including sending poorly written texts to Alinejad, ordering food to his stakeout site, and running a stop sign, which led to his arrest.
• Police discovered an AK-47, ammunition, and a ski mask in Mehdiyev's vehicle, and he later confessed in court to planning the assassination.
• Federal prosecutors argue that the plot highlights Iran's ongoing efforts to silence dissidents abroad, while the defendants have pleaded not guilty, claiming the evidence is circumstantial.

4 Articles

New York Post New York Post NDTV Hindustan Times