Federal prosecutors charged a senior Iranian military official and three others with plotting to kill an Iranian American author on U.S. soil, which the author, Masih Alinejad, described as a second life given to her. The charges were filed against Brig. Gen. Ruhollah Bazghandi, a senior official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and three men who are currently in Iran and remain at large. Alinejad, an author and contributor to Voice of America, expressed joy and gratitude towards the FBI agents and Justice Department officials who informed her of the charges, emphasizing the newfound protection she feels in the United States. She fled Iran after the country’s disputed 2009 presidential election and now resides in New York City.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland condemned the efforts of an authoritarian regime like Iran to undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed to every American, stating that the U.S. will not tolerate such behavior. He asserted that the government will continue working to identify, find, and bring to justice all those who endanger the safety of the American people. The charges against the Iranian government officials involved in the plot to kill Alinejad are part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to confront threats posed by foreign entities against Americans, particularly dissidents critical of oppressive regimes. The U.S. hopes that these charges will make a significant impact on the Government of Iran’s targeting, intimidation, and repression of Iranian dissidents both in the U.S. and abroad.
In January 2023, prosecutors revealed charges related to a plot to murder Alinejad by members of an Eastern European crime group, without explicitly naming her in court papers or government releases at the time. The Iranian opposition activist and journalist confirmed that she was the intended target, and the charges unsealed in January were part of efforts to address the threats faced by those critical of oppressive governments. Alinejad’s exile in New York City has provided her with a platform to continue her activism and journalism while remaining protected from potential harm. The U.S. Department of Treasury designated the Revolutionary Guard as a global terrorist group in October 2017 due to its involvement in international terrorism and assassination plots against journalists, Israeli citizens, and others labeled as enemies of Iran.
Bazghandi, the senior Iranian military official charged with involvement in the plot against Alinejad, has a history of participation in lethal targeting operations conducted by the Revolutionary Guard. The indictment against him details his alleged participation in assassination plots and involvement in the detention of foreign prisoners in Iran. Alinejad expressed a mix of emotions following the news of the charges, alternating between joy and gratitude for her safety in the U.S. and guilt for those who remain unprotected in her home country. Despite the challenges she has faced, including moving 21 times for her safety, Alinejad remains determined to give voice to the voiceless and continue her advocacy for human rights and freedom of expression.
Alinejad’s reaction to the charges filed against the Iranian officials involved in the plot against her reflects a sense of relief and validation, as she sees the U.S. government taking decisive action to protect her and hold those responsible for threats against her accountable. The charges mark a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat foreign threats to dissidents and journalists critical of oppressive regimes. Alinejad’s resilience and determination to continue her advocacy work serve as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges and highlight the importance of standing up against authoritarian regimes that seek to suppress dissent and silence voices of dissent. The protection provided to Alinejad in the U.S. serves as a beacon of hope for those who continue to face threats and persecution in their own countries, underscoring the significance of international cooperation in defending human rights and promoting freedom of expression.
