Key Highlights
- Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, two Russian mobsters, were found guilty of plotting to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.
- The plot aimed to kill Alinejad for $500,000, targeting her due to her activism against the Islamic Republic in Iran.
- Both Amirov and Omarov face severe prison sentences, with prosecutors seeking 55 years each.
- Alinejad, who has faced multiple threats and attacks, plans to speak during the sentencing hearing.
Sentencing Hearing for Russian Mobsters in Iranian-American Journalist Assassination Plot
Two Russian mobsters, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, are set to face severe prison sentences on Wednesday at a Manhattan federal court. The pair was convicted of plotting the assassination of Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad, an activist known for her efforts in exposing the cruelty and corruption within Iran’s Islamic Republic.
Plot Details and Motivation
The plot to assassinate Ms. Alinejad at her Brooklyn home came “chillingly near success,” according to prosecutors. The two Russian mobsters, who were among high-ranking members of the Gulici faction of the Russian Mob, agreed to the murder for a sum of $500,000.
According to prosecutors, their primary motivation was personal gain and power rather than any ideological stance.
“Amirov and Omarov were interested in one thing only: their own power and wealth,” stated the prosecution during the two-week trial that concluded earlier this year. The plot involved persistent attempts by a hired gunman to locate Ms. Alinejad, who was fortunately out of town at the time.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Strategies
The sentencing hearing for Amirov and Omarov is scheduled for October 28, 2025, in Manhattan federal court. Both defendants have differing defense strategies: Amirov’s lawyers argue that his involvement was minimal, while Omarov’s attorneys seek a lenient sentence based on his personal history of threats to his life from a criminal organization.
“They’ll receive their sentence, and I’ll speak my truth in my impact statement,” Ms. Alinejad stated ahead of the hearing. The journalist has faced multiple attempts on her life since moving to the United States in 2009, including an attempt by Iranian intelligence officials in July 2022.
Broader Context and Implications
The case highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists and activists who challenge authoritarian regimes. Ms. Alinejad’s “My Stealthy Freedom” campaign has gained international attention, encouraging millions of women to express their defiance against Iran’s strict dress codes.
Prosecutors have maintained an open investigation into the plot, announcing charges against a senior Iranian military official in October 2024 alongside three others involved.
Despite these efforts, the individuals remain at large.
The legal proceedings serve as a stark reminder of the threats faced by journalists and activists worldwide, with financial incentives often being offered to silence dissenting voices. The sentence handed down will send a strong message regarding the seriousness of such acts in the United States.
