Trial testimony indicates Iran offered a $500,000 reward for the life of an Iranian-American journalist.
A Rewritten Take on the Assassination Plot Against Masih Alinejad
In a Manhattan federal court, the sensational trial of two Russian mobsters, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, came to a close this week. The duo allegedly conspired to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad for a cool half-million dollars, a claim that sent shockwaves through the journalistic community.
Assistant US Attorney Michael Lockard addressed the jury on Wednesday, detailing the chilling plot against the outspoken journalist. In July 2022, the hitman was apprehended before he could carry out his mission, leading to this current trial.
Masih Alinejad courageously testified a day earlier, recounting the harrowing threats she faced after spearheading online campaigns from her Brooklyn home to embolden Iranian women to defy government edicts. Alinejad's activism began in earnest following her departure from Iran in 2009, after a contentious presidential election.
Her viral campaign, dubbed "My Stealthy Freedom," encouraged women to challenge Iran's requirement for constant hijab wearing in public, a move that earned her the Iranian regime's enmity.
Lockard elaborated on the government of Iran's hostility toward Alinejad, labeling her as a foe and attempting for years to harass, smear, and intimidate her. "But when these tactics failed," he said, "the $500,000 bounty on her head was put into effect."
The Russian mobsters, both natives of Azerbaijan, were allegedly hired by the Iranian government to execute Alinejad's assassination in 2022. The evidence, Lockard argued, was mountainous.
Defense lawyers for Amirov and Omarov, however, maintained their innocence during their closing arguments. Michael Martin, representing Amirov, argued that while Iran was undeniably targeting Alinejad, his client was an innocent bystander.
He question the credibility of Khalid Mehdiyev, who testified to being hired for the hit before his plans were foiled by a traffic stop. Martin labeled Mehdiyev a "manipulative, violent, lying person."
Elena Fast, Omarov's attorney, indicated that Mehdiyev was nothing more than an incompetent hitman, peddling a sham plot to swindle money for an uncompleted job.
"This was a plan to scam, not to murder," Fast contended, suggesting that any communication regarding the plot was merely an attempt to collect money for a murder that was never intended to be carried out.
Prosecutors will present a rebuttal argument on Thursday, followed by jury instructions and deliberation.
Enrichment Data:The Eastern European organized crime duo, Amirov and Omarov, have a history with the criminal underworld. Both are high-ranking members of their crime group, which was implicated in the plot to assassinate noted human rights activist and journalist Masih Alinejad, acting on behalf of the Iranian government. The U.S. justice system has convicted the pair on multiple counts, including murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of firearms.
[1] Prosecution evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice.[2] The Washington Post article on Masih Alinejad's activism.[3] CNN's coverage of the trial's proceedings and the defendants' background.
The jury was given instructions for their deliberation, as the trial of two alleged Russian mobsters, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, comes to an end for their involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate US-based Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad. Despite being high-ranking members of a crime group with a history in the criminal underworld, Amirov and Omarov's defense lawyers maintain their innocence. Prosecutors, claiming the evidence against them is substantial, will present a rebuttal argument on Thursday.
