Murder the Truth: Exposing the Global Campaign to Silence Journalists and Suppress Free Speech
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March 11, 2025 – Iran/USA –
Two men have been convicted in a New York court for their involvement in a chilling plot to assassinate prominent Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. The verdict, delivered in March 2025, marks the latest chapter in a disturbing campaign of transnational repression aimed at silencing Alinejad, who has long been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime.
Masih Alinejad, known for her outspoken activism on women’s rights and compulsory hijab laws in Iran, has been living under U.S. protection since authorities uncovered multiple attempts on her life. In this latest case, the defendants, who prosecutors said were acting at the behest of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were found guilty of conspiring to murder Alinejad on American soil.
The men, both arrested in 2022, were accused of working with Iranian intelligence networks to surveil Alinejad and ultimately arrange her assassination. Evidence presented in court revealed that they had conducted extensive reconnaissance around her Brooklyn home, including photographing the property and installing a camera to monitor her movements. The plot was foiled in time, but the case sent shockwaves through the international press freedom community.
This is not the first time Alinejad has been targeted. In 2021, a kidnapping plot was uncovered in which Iranian agents allegedly planned to abduct her and transport her to Iran via Venezuela. Alinejad has since become a symbol of the dangers faced by dissidents abroad, particularly those who use journalism and social media to challenge authoritarian regimes.
Following the conviction, Alinejad reiterated her commitment to speaking out, stating that she refuses to be intimidated into silence. She thanked the U.S. authorities for their protection but emphasized that her situation is not unique—dozens of Iranian dissidents abroad face similar threats.
International human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the plot and praised the U.S. justice system for holding the conspirators accountable. However, they also warned that the broader pattern of cross-border repression remains a growing concern.
The case stands as a stark reminder that authoritarian regimes are increasingly extending their reach beyond borders to silence dissent, putting journalists and activists at grave risk, no matter where they live.
Reference –
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg80kgyjl0o
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/masih-alinejad-murder-case-conviction-iran
