Two suspects, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, are facing trial in New York City after being charged in a thwarted plot to kill U.S.-based critic of the Iranian government, journalist Masih Alinejad. Both suspects pleaded not guilty in the alleged murder-for-hire plot and are said to be members of the Russian mob hired by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. This trial is significant as it represents Alinejad’s attempt at justice and seeking safety from the government of her birth country, Iran.
The trial in Manhattan federal court will commence with jury selection on Monday, as reported by Reuters. The suspects, Amirov, Omarov, and a third individual named Khalid Mehdiyev from Yonkers, New York, were charged by the Justice Department in early 2023. The DOJ highlighted the murder-for-hire and money laundering charges against the members of an Eastern European criminal organization, denouncing the Iranian government’s actions against Alinejad. This is not the first time Iran has attempted to target Alinejad, as a 2021 kidnapping attempt was also thwarted by the FBI.
Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the victim in this case was targeted for exercising her rights as an American citizen, highlighting the Iranian government’s human rights abuses, specifically against women, democratic participation, and expression. Mehdiyev, one of the suspects, was arrested in 2022 after being found with a loaded rifle and ammunition in Alinejad’s Brooklyn neighborhood. The status of Mehdiyev’s trial remains unclear, while both Amirov and Omarov have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Despite the fear and challenges Alinejad faces, she expressed gratitude to her new country, the United States, for trying to keep her safe and for providing her with the opportunity to seek justice against those who were hired by the Islamic Republic to kill her. Alinejad’s strength comes from the support of others, allowing her to face the trial and testify against the individuals involved in the plot to end her life. She views the trial as a chance to confront her would-be assassins and to move forward empowered by the support she has received.
Alinejad’s courage and resilience are evident as she prepares to testify in the trial against the suspects who were allegedly hired to kill her. She sees this opportunity as a second life and a chance to confront the individuals who sought to silence her and limit her freedom of expression. Alinejad’s determination to seek justice and stand up against those who wish to harm her is a testament to her strength and commitment to advocating for human rights and freedom of speech. The trial represents a pivotal moment in Alinejad’s fight for justice and serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by individuals who speak out against oppressive regimes like the Iranian government.
