In a landmark ruling that underscores the long reach of transnational repression, a US federal court has delivered substantial prison sentences to four individuals convicted of participating in an Iranian-directed plot to murder prominent journalist and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad.
The sophisticated assassination scheme, which US authorities described as "terrorism on American soil," targeted Alinejad at her New York residence. The Iranian-born journalist has become a vocal critic of Tehran's regime, particularly through her campaigning against compulsory hijab laws.
The Sentences Delivered
US District Judge Colleen McMahon handed down the following sentences in a Manhattan courtroom:
- Khalid Mehdiyev: 10 years imprisonment for operating as a lookout near Alinejad's home
- Rafat Amirov: 30 months for his coordinating role in the international conspiracy
- Mahmoud Khazein: 30 months for weapons charges related to the plot
- Oman Jumaev: 24 months for surveillance activities targeting the journalist
A Transnational Conspiracy Unraveled
The court heard how Iranian intelligence officials masterminded the operation, recruiting and directing the defendants from abroad. The plot began unravelling in July 2022 when Mehdiyev was arrested after being found with an assault rifle while conducting surveillance outside Alinejad's Brooklyn home.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing the defendants received payments from Iranian intelligence and communicated through encrypted messaging applications to coordinate their activities.
A Victory for Justice and Free Speech
Following the sentencing, Alinejad described the outcome as "a victory for justice" while emphasising that the Iranian regime officials who ordered the attack remain free. US Attorney Damian Williams stated the sentences send a "powerful message that the United States will not tolerate attempts to silence critics on American soil."
The case has highlighted growing concerns about transnational repression, where authoritarian regimes target dissidents living abroad. US intelligence agencies have warned that such operations are becoming increasingly common.
