Two Eastern European organized crime leaders were convicted March 20, for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The conspiracy, ordered by the Iranian regime, involved a planned assassination on U.S. soil.
Rafat Amirov, 46, of Iran, and Polad Omarov, 40, of Georgia, were found guilty on five federal charges, including murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.
Masih, in a video message on the X social platform on Friday, gave thanks to her “adopted country,” the United States, for protecting her from her “birth country,” which she said tried to kill her.
The plot aimed to silence Alinejad, an outspoken critic of Iran’s Islamic regime who has exposed human rights abuses it has committed. The regime allegedly contracted Amirov and Omarov, high-ranking figures in an Eastern European criminal group, to coordinate the assassination. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly promised the pair $500,000 for the killing.
Court documents detailed how Amirov received direct instructions from IRGC officials, and relayed this information to Omarov, who coordinated surveillance and execution logistics.
Khalid Mehdiyev, another member of the crime group residing in Yonkers, New York, conducted surveillance of Alinejad’s home, reporting back to Amirov and Omarov. Mehdiyev received $30,000, part of which he used to purchase an AK-47-style rifle and ammunition.
Prosecutors presented electronic communications showing Mehdiyev’s readiness to commit the murder.
On July 28, 2022, he sent a video from his car with the assault rifle, messaging, “we are ready.” Amirov provided precise details of Alinejad’s residence to facilitate the attack, instructing Mehdiyev to keep the operation discreet.
However, the assassination attempt unraveled when Mehdiyev was stopped by police for a traffic violation after leaving the surveillance location.
Officers discovered the rifle, ammunition, cash, and a ski mask in his vehicle, leading to his immediate arrest. Following Mehdiyev’s arrest, Omarov threatened to harm his family if they did not find him quickly.
Officials praised the verdict, emphasizing a commitment to protecting U.S. citizens from foreign threats.
“This verdict underscores the Department’s commitment to finding and holding accountable those who threaten our citizens and our freedoms,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky called the plot “chilling” and affirmed that the United States will pursue justice against anyone targeting Americans.
The FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, which investigated the case along with the NYPD, warned that threats from Iran against American citizens would not be tolerated.
