IRANIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST TARGETED: 25-YEAR SENTENCE FOR PLOT TO KILL!

Two men received a 25-year prison sentence Wednesday for their roles in a chilling plot to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. Judge Colleen McMahon delivered the sentence to Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, concluding a case that exposed a dangerous reach across international borders. The pair were convicted on multiple charges, including murder for hire, conspiracy, and money laundering, stemming from a calculated attempt to silence a powerful voice.
Outside the Manhattan courtroom, Alinejad delivered a poignant statement, revealing the profound impact of the threat. She asserted her only transgression was amplifying the voices of Iranian women, a simple act that transformed her life into a commodity, a target for a brutal transaction. The ordeal, she explained, irrevocably shattered her sense of security.
Her husband echoed the sentiment, describing the defendants’ motivation as “pure malice.” The chilling details of the plot unfolded during the trial, revealing a $500,000 payment from the Iranian government funneled to Amirov and Omarov. Their mission: to hire a hitman to end Alinejad’s life at her Brooklyn home in July 2022.
Fortunately, the plot was intercepted. Authorities apprehended Khalid Mehdiyev, the alleged hitman, just as he approached Alinejad’s residence. Mehdiyev’s arrest prevented a tragedy and ultimately provided crucial testimony against Amirov and Omarov.
Mehdiyev, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and weapons charges, testified that Amirov offered him $30,000 for the assassination, referring to Alinejad simply as “the journalist.” He now faces a potential 15-year prison sentence for his involvement.
This sentencing, however, represents only one chapter in a larger story of ongoing threats. U.S. officials have confirmed that Alinejad has endured multiple attempts on her life since seeking refuge in the United States in 2009, fleeing persecution in her homeland. The case underscores the lengths to which some will go to suppress dissent and silence those who dare to speak truth to power.