Two men convicted in assassination plot against Iranian journalist

In New York, a federal jury convicted two men, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, for their involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The jury returned the verdict after a two-week trial, concluding on March 20, 2025. The Iranian government allegedly funded the plot with a $500,000 bounty on Alinejad, aiming to silence her due to her outspoken criticism of the regime and her campaigns against mandatory hijabs for women in Iran. Alinejad, who has lived in the United States since 2009, became a prominent dissident, utilizing social media to mobilize women in Iran. The Iranian authorities have attempted to intimidate her in various ways, including a previous failed kidnapping plot, before resorting to this assassination plan. The defendants, identified as Russian mob members, had contracted another individual to carry out the assassination. Testimonies revealed that Alinejad was under constant threat, underscoring the Iranian regime’s harsh approach against dissidents living abroad. The conviction of Amirov and Omarov marks a significant moment in the fight against authoritarianism, showing that plots against journalists and activists will meet legal resistance in democratic nations. Masih Alinejad expressed relief following the verdict, emphasizing that this case represents not only her survival but a blow to a regime that believes it can silence critics through violence. The sentencing for the convicted men is pending, with the possibility of life in prison hanging over them. This case's broader implications highlight the importance of protecting journalists and activists who fear for their safety due to their critical views on oppressive regimes. As the situation unfolds, it sets a precedent for how international laws and commitments to human rights can intervene in domestic threats to freedom of speech and press.