Suspects kill U.S. soil facing trial journalist in allegedly backed conspiracy
Two suspects face trial Monday after a foiled plot accused of killing critics of the Iranian government.
According to Reuters, Iran’s Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov of the Czech Republic and Slovenia and Slovenia will appear in federal court in New York City for alleged murders targeting journalist Masih Alinejad. Prosecutors say both suspects are members of Russian mobs and were hired by Iran’s revolutionary guards
“In the end, I will face the people I’m employed in killing me, right here in New York.
“It’s easy to feel nervous, fear and even broken in such moments, but your support cheers me up,” she added. “So, when I walk into that court, I’ll carry your power with me.”
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Official accused of Killing Iranian American Human Rights Activist in New York City
News reporter and anti-Iranian activist Masih Alinejad is expected to testify today in court lawsuits in the federal court in Manhattan. (Fox News)
According to Reuters, the trial in the Manhattan federal court will begin with a jury review on Monday.
Amirov, Omarov and the third suspect, Khalid Mehdiyev of Yonkers, New York, was charged by the Justice Department in early 2023.
“A federal court in New York has committed undisclosed murder and money laundering charges against three members of Eastern European criminal organizations, a charge of murder of the American citizen who was a murder of the Iranian government against the regime’s invasion of the regime,” Dorje said at the time.
Officials say the assassination plot is Iran’s second attempt at Arinyad. The FBI thwarted Tehran’s alleged kidnapping attempt in 2021, trying to force it back to Iran.
Activists yell after Iran tries to kill her
Court sketches show that Rafat Amirov is in the case of a murder suspected of murder in New York court hearing held on January 27, 2023 in New York court. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
“In this case, the victim’s goal is to exercise the rights of every U.S. citizen. The victims publicized the Iranian government’s human rights violations; discriminatory treatment of women; inhibition of democratic participation and expression; and the use of arbitrary imprisonment, torture and executions,” said Merrick Garland at the time.
Mehdiyev, arrested in 2022, was found driving near Brooklyn in Alinejad with a rifle and dozens of rounds of ammunition. At the time, Alinejad told the Associated Press that authorities told her the man was looking for her and the home security tape made him hang outside the front door.
According to Reuters, Mekhdiev did not plead guilty, but his status in trial is still unclear.
“Mr. Omarov is considered innocent,” his lawyer, told the news agency.
Masih Alinejad spoke in New York City in October 2018. (Larry Busacca photography/Getty image of female image in cable telecommunications)
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“I’m happy to be in the public trial, testify as witnesses against those employed by the Islamic Republic,” Alinejad also told Reuters. “It’s like I got a second life.”
Grace Taggart, Caitlin McFall, David Spunt and the Associated Press contributed to the report.
