Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was indicted yesterday for attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and murder-for-hire. The charges are part of a scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on American soil. Law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant, who was previously arrested and charged by complaint in July 2024, is currently detained in federal custody.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to target our country’s public officials and endanger our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As these terrorism and murder for hire charges against Asif Merchant demonstrate, we will continue to hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran’s lethal plotting against Americans.”
“This dangerous murder-for-hire plot was allegedly orchestrated by a Pakistani national with close ties to Iran and is straight out of the Iranian regime's playbook,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “A foreign-directed plot to kill a public official, or any U.S. citizen, is a serious threat to our national security and will be met with the full might and resources of the FBI. Protecting Americans from terrorists remains our highest priority.”
“As alleged, Merchant orchestrated a plot to assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s indictment is a message to terrorists here and abroad that my Office and the Department of Justice will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the country against foreign threats.”
According to court filings, in April 2024 after spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the United States from Pakistan and contacted an individual he believed could assist him with his scheme. That person reported Merchant’s conduct to law enforcement and became a confidential source (CS).
In early June 2024, Merchant met with the CS in New York where he explained his assassination plot involving multiple criminal schemes: stealing documents or USB drives from targets' homes; planning protests; and killing politicians or government officials.
During this meeting, Merchant began planning potential assassination scenarios and quizzed the CS on how he would kill targets under different circumstances. He indicated that these actions would occur after he left the United States using code words for communication.
In mid-June 2024, Merchant met purported hitmen—undercover U.S. law enforcement officers (UCs)—in New York City seeking services including theft of documents, arranging protests at political rallies, and assassinating a "political person." He arranged $5,000 in cash as advance payment which he delivered on June 21.
Merchant made flight arrangements intending to leave the United States on July 12 but was arrested by law enforcement agents before departure.
If convicted, Merchant faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The case involved investigations by multiple FBI field offices including Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Albany; along with assistance from NYPD; U.S Attorney's Office for Southern District of Texas; Customs & Border Protection.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Sara K Winik; Gilbert Rein & Douglas Pravda (Eastern District NY); Trial Attorneys David Smith & Joshua Champagne (National Security Division Counterterrorism Section) are prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.