Iran’s Alleged Assassination Plot: The Testimony of an FBI Agent
In a chilling revelation that underscores the lengths to which the Iranian government may go to silence dissent, an FBI agent testified in Manhattan Federal Court about Iran’s alleged ties to mobsters hired to assassinate Masih Alinejad, a prominent Iranian American journalist and human rights activist. The testimony, delivered by Supervising Special Agent Justin Tuerack, provided a detailed account of the investigation into the digital communications of the suspects involved in the plot.
The Investigation Unfolds
Agent Tuerack, who oversees the Iran squad at the FBI, took the stand to share insights from the investigation that led to the thwarting of the assassination attempt. He meticulously analyzed metadata and IP addresses linked to various digital platforms, including cloud services, WhatsApp, Apple IDs, and Google Accounts belonging to the defendants: Rafat Amirov, Polad Omarov, and Ruhollah Bazghandi, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Bazghandi, who previously served as the chief of the Revolutionary Guard’s counterintelligence department, is alleged to have orchestrated the plot against Alinejad.
Direct Orders from Iran
The prosecution’s case hinges on the testimony of Khaled Mehdiyev, who pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Alinejad. Mehdiyev revealed that he received direct orders from mobsters Amirov and Omarov, who were acting under the instructions of Bazghandi’s network. In a harrowing admission, Mehdiyev confessed to stalking Alinejad outside her Brooklyn home in 2022, driven by a singular objective: “Shoot the journalist, kill the journalist.” This chilling intent was reportedly fueled by Alinejad’s outspoken human rights activism, which has drawn the ire of the Iranian regime.
The Financial Motive
Federal prosecutors allege that the Iranian government financed the assassination plot, paying Amirov and Omarov $500,000 to carry out the hit on Alinejad. The plot was ultimately thwarted on July 28, 2022, when police arrested Mehdiyev as he attempted to flee the scene after surveilling Alinejad’s residence.
Digital Evidence and Communication
The investigation revealed a complex web of digital communications that linked the mobsters to the Iranian government. Tuerack presented evidence of WhatsApp messages exchanged between Omarov and Amirov, which detailed their coordination with Mehdiyev and Bazghandi regarding the assassination attempt. One particularly chilling message from Omarov to Amirov stated, "we blocked it from both sides, it will be a show once she/he steps out of the house." This message, along with others, painted a clear picture of the conspirators’ intent and planning.
On July 27, 2022, Omarov texted Amirov that Mehdiyev’s hit on Alinejad would serve as a birthday gift for him, further illustrating the casual and premeditated nature of their conspiracy. The exchanges continued even after Mehdiyev’s arrest, with the conspirators expressing frustration over their failed plans.
The Search for Alinejad
Following Mehdiyev’s arrest, digital searches conducted by the IRGC network revealed a disturbing level of surveillance on Alinejad. Tuerack testified that searches for "Rafat the Thief" occurred before any public knowledge of Amirov’s involvement, indicating a premeditated effort to track Alinejad’s movements. Additional searches included Google Maps of her home, her frequented pharmacy, and even images of her husband, Kambiz Foroohar.
The evidence presented in court also included communications among members of Bazghandi’s network, with messages referencing their ongoing interest in Alinejad and discussions about kidnapping her. The FBI uncovered that the Bazghandi network continued to gather information on Alinejad until at least May 2023, revealing a persistent threat against her safety.
A Pattern of Threats
This assassination plot is not an isolated incident. The FBI has previously thwarted two other attempts by Iranian state agents to kidnap Alinejad in 2020 and 2021. These attempts highlight a troubling pattern of behavior by the Iranian government, which appears willing to resort to extreme measures to silence critics and dissidents abroad.
Conclusion
The testimony of FBI agent Justin Tuerack paints a disturbing picture of the intersection between organized crime and state-sponsored terrorism. As the case against the alleged conspirators unfolds, it raises critical questions about the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to suppress dissent and the international implications of such actions. The ongoing threats against journalists like Masih Alinejad serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak out against oppressive regimes.