Pak Man Charged in US Hitman Plot Linked to Iran Revenge Plan
The US has nabbed a Pakistani man accused of plotting political assassinations tied to Iran’s fury over the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani.
Hitman Hunt in New York
Asif Merchant, who recently spent time in Iran, was arrested in July after flying to the US from Pakistan. He’s been charged with murder for hire in Brooklyn federal court.
US prosecutors say Merchant showed up in New York last June aiming to hire a hitman to kill a politician or government official. The DOJ claims this was part of a wider revenge plot against American public figures.
Justice Department Sounds Alarm on Iran Threat
“Iran’s brazen and unrelenting efforts” to target US officials continue, warned Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Garland said the Justice Department has been aggressively cracking down on Iran-backed schemes aimed at American officials. This case highlights ongoing dangers posed by foreign enemies.
No Link to Trump Assassination Attempt
Despite the gravity of the charges, authorities found no evidence tying Merchant to the recent July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
Merchant’s lawyer, Avraham Moskowitz, refused to comment when approached.
The investigation is ongoing as officials hunt for other possible conspirators behind the chilling plot.
