The federal prosecutors announced criminal charges on Tuesday against a general of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in connection with a failed assassination attempt against a New York-based Iranian Journalist.
Prosecutors said that Ruhollah Bazahandi, a resident of Iran who is beyond the reach and jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, orchestrated the alleged plot in 2022 to murder the journalist.
The charges name Bazghandi, along with six other Iranian operatives. Federal prosecutors claim that they plotted to murder Masih Alinejad, an influential journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Iranian Government.
According to the indictment, since at least July 20, 2022, individuals in Iran have directed the Bazghandi to assassinate Alinejad.
In the indictment, it is detailed how Alinejad was monitored by the network of operatives and they are quoted talking about her as early as July 2022.
The indictment cites one operative saying “I’m near the place brother, I’m even closer.”
According to the indictment, another responded, “OK, my brother dear, don’t leave her out of sight.” Let’s get started, my brother dear.
According to the indictment, the operative, Khalid Mehdiyev, was arrested on July 28, 2022, near the victim’s house, with the assault rifle and 66 rounds, as well as approximately $1,100 cash, a black mask, and 66 cartridges.
Alinejad responded to the federal charges on Tuesday in a social media statement, saying “I will be undeterred.”
She said, “Thanks to law enforcement I am alive today to witness the Islamic Republic’s humiliation.” “I’m determined to echo millions of Iranians’ voices, especially those of women, who face the same killers in the country,” she said.
She said that the alleged plot to assassinate dissidents is “a stark reminder of the brutal measures taken by the Islamic regime to silence them, even those who are far beyond Iran’s border.”
Alinejad has said that she has changed safe houses 21 times in the last three years following an alleged Iranian plan to kidnap and lure her in 2021.
The FBI has released a poster of Bazghandi. He is wanted on charges such as murder for hire and conspiracy to murder for hire.
In a Tuesday statement FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “Today’s charges expose the full extent of Iran’s plan to silence an American Journalist for criticizing Iran’s regime.” The FBI’s investigation disrupted this plot, as one of its conspirators was on his way to kill the victim in New York. These charges demonstrate that the FBI will continue to work with partners both here and abroad to bring those responsible for targeting Americans accountable.
