New York, NY — In a compelling courtroom revelation, a self-proclaimed hitman detailed his aborted plot to assassinate journalist and outspoken Iranian critic Masih Alinejad. Within the walls of the Southern District of New York court, Khalid Mehdiyev described staking out Alinejad’s Brooklyn residence, prepared to execute her as she stepped outside.
During his testimony, Alinejad’s husband, Kambiz Foroohar, a former Bloomberg News journalist, sat in the courtroom, expressing the surreal nature of hearing a hitman coldly outline plans to harm his wife. He shared his harrowing emotions during a pause in the proceedings.
Mehdiyev, caught by police after a minor traffic violation while armed and near Alinejad’s home, shared chilling admissions, including waiting for Alinejad with a loaded rifle and surveilling her family. He initially sought another person to commit the murder, aiming to avoid direct involvement while he was engaged in another criminal enterprise.
As the trial unfolded, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gutwillig presented evidence, including incriminating text messages and photographs from Mehdiyev’s phone, showing the depth of the assassination planning. The texts from another conspirator urged Mehdiyev to ensure Alinejad’s death, highlighting the menacing nature of the plot.
Standing as co-defendants in this high-profile case are Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, both originally from Azerbaijan. They are charged with multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, linked to what prosecutors allege was a scheme orchestrated by interests connected to the Iranian government.
“The defendants were essentially contracted by the Iranian government,” Gutwillig stated in his opening remarks, pointing to a broader geopolitical conspiracy. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the assassination attempt. The defense for Amirov and Omarov has pleaded not guilty, framing their clients as unfairly implicated.
Mehdiyev, who has pleaded guilty, is cooperating with federal authorities, potentially in exchange for a reduced sentence. His insights are central to the government’s case, painting a picture of a narrowly averted political assassination on U.S. soil.
Alinejad, who herself stayed out of the courtroom due to her role as a witness, has been a vocal opponent of the Iranian regime. Her activism, particularly through media and popular writings like her memoir “The Wind In My Hair,” has made her a target in the past. She remarked on her ordeal in a post online, discussing her fear and determination.
The trial continues to uncover the layers of an international assassination plot, which if successful could have escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran. It also starkly highlights the threats faced by dissidents abroad, bringing into focus the challenges of political asylum and freedom of expression.
Legal experts are closely monitoring the proceedings, as the outcomes might set precedents in how the U.S. handles alleged foreign government-sanctioned violence on its turf. Cross-examinations in the coming days are expected to further unravel the extent of the conspiracy.
As the trial advances, the world watches how justice will navigate through the murky waters of international crime and political intrigue, underlining the continuing vulnerability of exiles who challenge oppressive regimes from afar.
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