Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Two members of an Azerbaijani faction of the Russian Mob have been sentenced to 25 years in prison for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist. The sentencing was announced by Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with officials from the Department of Justice and the FBI.
Rafat Amirov, also known as “Farkhaddin Mirzoev” and “Rome,” and Polad Omarov, also known as “Araz Aliyev” and “Polad Qaqa,” were convicted in March 2025 after a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. They were found guilty of murder-for-hire, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related charges.
“The Government of Iran, a sponsor of terrorism, assassination, and espionage around the globe, brazenly brought its efforts to murder Masih Alinejad to New York," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "The plot exposed at trial involved actors on three continents, culminating with a hitman with an AK-47 outside Ms. Alinejad’s apartment in Brooklyn. Yesterday’s sentences send a clear message: the DOJ and our partners will expose and severely punish those who target U.S. citizens and bring terror to our community.”
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg stated: “The defendants and their criminal associates came chillingly close to gunning down an Iranian-American journalist on the streets of New York. Tehran has long sought to silence Ms. Alinejad, and after multiple failed kidnapping attempts, turned to Omarov and Amirov and their organization to stalk and murder her. This case is part of a well-documented and disturbing rise in plots involving criminal networks paid by Iran to target dissidents in the United States and around the world. We are committed to holding accountable those who join forces with this vile regime to violate our national sovereignty or threaten U.S. citizens.”
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia added: “Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, two highly ranked members of the Russian Mob, attempted to assassinate Masih Alinejad to permanently silence her criticism of the Iranian government and public advocacy of human rights. These defendants operated as unlawful enforcers for a foreign government to target an American journalist on our nation’s soil. May yesterday’s sentencing emphasize the FBI’s steadfast commitment to protecting Americans against any foreign actor seeking to inflict terror and physical harm to further a political agenda.”
Court documents revealed that Amirov held one of the highest ranks within his criminal organization while Omarov aspired for similar status through family connections. Both men acted on instructions from high-ranking members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who offered $500,000 for Alinejad's killing after previous attempts at kidnapping her had failed.
Beginning in July 2022, information about Alinejad—including her home address—was relayed from IRGC contacts through Amirov down a chain that included Omarov before reaching Khalid Mehdiyev in Yonkers, New York. Mehdiyev received $30,000 as part of an advance payment from IRGC funds; he used some money to purchase an AK-47-style rifle with ammunition.
In late July 2022, Mehdiyev conducted surveillance outside Alinejad’s residence while updating both Omarov and Amirov with photographs and reports on his activities. On July 28th he was stopped by police after leaving his stakeout; officers discovered firearms equipment including an assault rifle loaded with ammunition inside his vehicle.
Following Mehdiyev's arrest later that day—and under pressure from IRGC operatives demanding their money back—Omarov threatened Mehdiyev's family if they did not locate him.
Both Amirov (46) from Iran and Omarov (41) from Georgia were also ordered to pay a $500 special assessment alongside their prison terms.
U.S. Attorney Clayton acknowledged investigative work by several agencies including the FBI’s Counterintelligence-Cyber Division at its New York Field Office; NYPD Intelligence Bureau; Department of Justice divisions; as well as Czech authorities.
The prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S Attorneys Michael D Lockard Jacob H Gutwillig Matthew JC Hellman together with National Security Division Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali Leslie Esbrook.
