Two leaders of Eastern European organized crime, Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, were found guilty in a New York court for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot targeting a U.S.-based journalist on behalf of the Iranian government. Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, announced the verdict alongside Leslie R. Backschies from the FBI's New York Field Office.
The convictions against Amirov and Omarov include charges such as murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Both men are set to be sentenced on September 17, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Podolsky stated: “For years, the Government of Iran has attempted to silence an outspoken Iranian journalist... This verdict should send a clear message around the world: if you target U.S. citizens, we will find you, no matter where you are, and bring you to justice.”
FBI Assistant Director Backschies remarked: “The convictions... send a clear message to all foreign governments who violate our laws... The FBI is determined to disrupt any effort by foreign governments to use violence to repress our citizens’ freedoms.”
According to trial evidence, Amirov and Omarov were involved with an Azeri faction of the Russian Mob known as "the Organization." They plotted against Masih Alinejad at the behest of high-ranking members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Alinejad had been previously targeted by Iran due to her activism and criticism of their human rights abuses.
In 2022, after failed attempts by Iranian officials to kidnap Alinejad from within the U.S., Amirov sent information about her whereabouts from IRGC officials in Iran to Omarov. Khalid Mehdiyev was then recruited by Omarov for surveillance and intended assassination activities using an AK-47 assault rifle purchased with funds provided by Amirov and Omarov.
Mehdiyev's activities included multiple surveillance trips near Alinejad's residence until his arrest following a traffic violation revealed firearms and ammunition in his vehicle. Post-arrest threats were made against Mehdiyev’s family by Omarov.
Both defendants face significant prison sentences across multiple counts related to murder-for-hire conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and firearm possession linked with these crimes.
Podolsky commended various law enforcement agencies including the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division for their work on this case. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, Matthew J.C. Hellman along with paralegal support from Owen Foley and Sabrina Jim Munoz.