Two men linked to the Russian mob have been sentenced to 25 years in prison for their involvement in a failed plot, allegedly backed by Iran, to assassinate a prominent Iranian dissident in the United States. Rafat Amirov, 46, and Polad Omarov, 41, received their sentences from US District Judge Colleen McMahon in Manhattan, following a jury’s verdict in March on multiple charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy.
The case revolves around an alleged scheme to kill Masih Alinejad, a US-Iranian journalist and outspoken critic of the Iranian government, particularly regarding its treatment of women. Judge McMahon emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “This was a terrible, terrible crime that has had terrible, terrible repercussions on some very fine people.”
Alinejad, who was present at the sentencing, expressed the profound impact this plot had on her life. She stated, “I crossed an ocean to come to America and have a normal life, and I don’t have a normal life,” receiving applause from supporters gathered in the courtroom.
The sentences handed down were less than the 55 years sought by prosecutors but exceeded the 10 to 13 years recommended by the defense. The defense attorneys argued for leniency, attempting to minimize their clients’ connections to Tehran and their involvement in the assassination attempt.
According to prosecutors, Amirov, who hails from Iran, and Omarov, from Georgia, are considered crime bosses within the Russian organized crime network. They allegedly received $500,000 from Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps for the botched assassination of Alinejad, who has been a vocal critic of Iran since fleeing in 2009.
Iran has denied any involvement, dismissing the allegations as baseless. This case forms part of a broader effort by the US Justice Department to address what it describes as transnational repression, where authoritarian regimes target political adversaries outside their borders.
A third individual, Khalid Mehdiyev, was also implicated in this plot. He pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. During the trial, he testified against Amirov and Omarov, revealing that he had attempted to kill Alinejad in coordination with them. Mehdiyev was arrested in 2022 after being found with an AK-47 and a ski mask while surveilling Alinejad’s residence. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
The ramifications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, highlighting the dangers faced by dissidents like Alinejad who speak out against oppressive regimes. As she continues her advocacy, the attention surrounding her case serves as a reminder of the complex international dynamics between dissidents and the governments that seek to silence them.
