In a significant victory for justice and a stark warning to foreign powers, two Russian mobsters have been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison each for their roles in a foiled plot to assassinate Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad. The sentencing of these Russian mobsters sentenced is a critical moment in combating transnational repression, as these Russian mobsters sentenced will serve significant time.
Rafat Amirov, 46, and Polad Omarov, 41, received the lengthy sentences on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court for their conviction on charges including murder-for-hire and conspiracy. The assassination attempt, orchestrated on behalf of the Iranian government, aimed to silence Alinejad, a prominent critic of Tehran’s human rights record, and her millions of followers. The news of the sentencing marks a critical moment in the ongoing international efforts to combat state-sponsored transnational repression, with these Russian mobsters sentenced for their dangerous activities.
Russian Mobsters Sentenced for Iran Assassination Plot
The assassination plot, which prosecutors described as having “chillingly near success,” was uncovered by tenacious American law enforcement. The Iranian government allegedly offered $500,000 in “blood money” in July 2022 to carry out the hit on Alinejad at her Brooklyn home. This followed earlier attempts by Iranian intelligence to harass, smear, and intimidate her into silence. Prior plots in 2020 and 2021 reportedly aimed to kidnap Alinejad and forcibly return her to Iran, highlighting the lengths of their transnational repression efforts. The conviction of these Russian mobsters sentenced sends a clear message.
Amirov and Omarov, identified as crime bosses within the Gulici faction of the Russian Mob, hired Khalid Mehdiyev, an Azerbaijani mobster, for $30,000 to carry out the killing. However, Mehdiyev’s suspicious activities outside Alinejad’s residence led to his arrest by NYPD officers for a traffic violation. A search of his car revealed a loaded AK-47 assault rifle, ammunition, and a ski mask, exposing the deadly conspiracy. Mehdiyev subsequently cooperated with prosecutors, providing crucial testimony against Amirov and Omarov during their March trial, contributing to the Russian mobsters sentenced.
Masih Alinejad: A Voice Iran Feared
Masih Alinejad, 49, is a globally recognized journalist, author, and activist, renowned for her courageous advocacy for women’s rights in Iran. She founded the “My Stealthy Freedom” campaign in 2014, a powerful online movement that encouraged Iranian women to share images of themselves without the compulsory hijab, protesting the regime’s oppressive laws. With millions of followers across social media platforms, Alinejad has become a pivotal voice for those seeking basic freedoms and challenging discriminatory practices within the Islamic Republic. Her work, including “White Wednesdays” and “My Forbidden Song” campaigns, has amplified the voices of countless women who feel silenced and oppressed. The prosecution argued that the assassination attempt was intended not just to eliminate Alinejad but to intimidate the millions who looked to her as their champion, underscoring the severe threat of this murder for hire plot.
Sentencing and the Message to Tehran
During the sentencing hearing, Alinejad delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing how the plot had “turned my life upside down” and instilled fear, yet affirmed her resilience. “I crossed an ocean to come to America and have a normal life, and I don’t have a normal life,” she told the court, drawing applause from supporters, including Barry Rosen, a former American hostage in Iran who stood in solidarity. She urged the judge to send a clear message to the regime in Iran regarding foreign interference.
U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon described the crime as “terrible, terrible,” emphasizing that the sentences were intended to deter foreign gangs and foreign powers from engaging in such conduct on American soil. While prosecutors had sought 55-year sentences, arguing for the defendants’ integral roles in the plot, the defense lawyers had pushed for significantly lighter terms, questioning the extent of their clients’ direct involvement and noting that no one was physically harmed. The 25-year federal prison sentence for each of the Russian mobsters sentenced marks a significant consequence, and these Russian mobsters sentenced will face considerable time in federal prison.
Broader Implications of Transnational Repression
This case underscores a disturbing pattern of Iranian intelligence agencies targeting dissidents, journalists, and activists living abroad. Reports from multiple intelligence agencies in the United States, Canada, and Europe have detailed a growing number of threats, including assassination plots, harassment, and attempted kidnappings, often carried out by collaborating with international criminal organizations. The conviction and sentencing of Amirov and Omarov serve as a strong affirmation of American resolve to protect individuals within its borders from such extraterritorial aggression and hold perpetrators accountable. The justice system’s action in this case sends an unequivocal message that attempts to silence critics through violence on U.S. soil will be met with severe consequences, reinforcing the commitment to journalist safety and freedom of expression for all who seek refuge and speak out against oppressive regimes. The fact that Russian mobsters sentenced are now facing federal prison is a testament to this commitment.
