Iranian, Georgian Nationals Convicted for Attempted Murder of US-based Journalist Ordered by Iran

Eastern European gang leaders were convicted in federal court this week for planning an Iran-backed assassination of Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.

Masih Alinejad greets friends and supporters outside the federal courthouse after testifying at the trial of two men accused of allegedly plotting to kill her in New York, on March 18, 2025. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Two Eastern European organized crime leaders were convicted March 20, for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The conspiracy, ordered by the Iranian regime, involved a planned assassination on U.S. soil.

Rafat Amirov, 46, of Iran, and Polad Omarov, 40, of Georgia, were found guilty on five federal charges, including murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.