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October 29, 2025 – Iran/Russia –
Two men, Rafat Amirov (46) and Polad Omarov (41), are set to be sentenced in a federal court in Manhattan after being convicted earlier this year of plotting to kill Iranian American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad at her Brooklyn residence.
Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of up to 55 years for both men, arguing the plot advanced to a perilously close stage of execution. They contend that both defendants, described as senior figures in a faction of the Russian mob known as the Gulici, were motivated by financial gain and acted with disregard for the ideological dimension of targeting Alinejad.
The prosecution’s case presented evidence that the assassination attempt was backed by Iranian intelligence. In 2022, Iran reportedly offered half a million dollars for Alinejad’s killing after prior efforts to harass or abduct her failed. Alinejad, who left Iran in 2009 after facing direct threats due to her activism, testified at the trial and described the incident as part of a sustained campaign of transnational repression.
Defense attorneys argue their clients’ roles were minimal and seek significantly shorter sentences—13 years for Amirov and 10 years for Omarov—highlighting that no physical harm ultimately occurred and questioning the credibility of some evidence.
The sentencing marks a key moment in broader efforts by U.S. authorities to confront acts of state-backed violence against journalists and dissidents residing on American soil. The case is seen as a warning signal that attempts by foreign powers to silence critics abroad will face serious legal consequences.
As the court prepares to hand down sentences, Alinejad plans to make an impact statement, underlining how the experience has altered her life and emphasizing the danger faced by journalists who challenge powerful regimes from exile.
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