Two members of an Azerbaijani faction of the Russian Mob have been sentenced to 25 years in prison for their roles in a plot to kill Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist. The sentencing took place yesterday after Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov were found guilty in March 2025 of murder-for-hire, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related charges following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, “The Government of Iran, a sponsor of terrorism, assassination, and espionage around the globe, brazenly brought its efforts to murder Masih Alinejad to New York. The plot exposed at trial involved actors on three continents, culminating with a hitman with an AK-47 outside Ms. Alinejad’s apartment in Brooklyn. Yesterday’s sentences send a clear message: the DOJ and our partners will expose and severely punish those who target U.S. citizens and bring terror to our community.”
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg commented on the international dimension of the case: “The defendants and their criminal associates came chillingly close to gunning down an Iranian-American journalist on the streets of New York. Tehran has long sought to silence Ms. Alinejad, and after multiple failed kidnapping attempts, turned to Omarov and Amirov and their organization to stalk and murder her. This case is part of a well-documented and disturbing rise in plots involving criminal networks paid by Iran to target dissidents in the United States and around the world. We are committed to holding accountable those who join forces with this vile regime to violate our national sovereignty or threaten U.S. citizens.”
Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office, said: “Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, two highly ranked members of the Russian Mob, attempted to assassinate Masih Alinejad to permanently silence her criticism of the Iranian government and public advocacy of human rights. These defendants operated as unlawful enforcers for a foreign government to target an American journalist on our nation’s soil. May yesterday’s sentencing emphasize the FBI’s steadfast commitment to protecting Americans against any foreign actor seeking to inflict terror and physical harm to further a political agenda.”
According to court documents presented at trial, Amirov was considered a high-ranking member known as a Vor within his organization; Omarov is related by family ties within that network as well. Both acted on instructions from individuals associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Authorities say that after failed attempts by Iranian operatives in 2020 and 2021—when plans were made inside the U.S.—the IRGC offered Amirov $500,000 for carrying out Ms. Alinejad’s murder.
Beginning in July 2022, targeting information including Ms. Alinejad’s home address was shared among conspirators through encrypted channels spanning several countries. Khalid Mehdiyev was identified as another participant who conducted surveillance near Ms. Alinejad’s Brooklyn residence using funds provided by advance payment from Iran’s agents; he purchased an assault rifle along with ammunition for use in the planned attack.
Law enforcement intervention occurred when Mehdiyev was stopped for a traffic violation while surveilling Ms. Alinejad’s home; police discovered weapons—including an AK-47 style rifle—and other items such as cash and disguises inside his vehicle.
After Mehdiyev was arrested, threats were made against his family by Omarov under pressure from IRGC contacts demanding return of their money.
Amirov (46) is originally from Iran; Omarov (41) is from Georgia (country). In addition to imprisonment they received special monetary assessments.
Jay Clayton acknowledged contributions from various agencies including FBI’s Counterintelligence-Cyber Division, NYPD Intelligence Bureau, Department of Justice National Security Division as well as authorities abroad during investigation.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S Attorneys Michael D Lockard Jacob H Gutwillig Matthew JC Hellman alongside Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali Leslie Esbrook.
