Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Denis Alimov, also known by several aliases including Denis Nazarovich Alimov and Denis Nevsky, was arrested on February 24, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia. The arrest followed an Interpol Red Notice based on charges filed in the Southern District of New York. U.S. authorities intend to seek his extradition from Colombia.
According to a superseding indictment unsealed in federal court, Alimov is accused of participating in a plot to kidnap or murder two well-known dissidents living abroad. The indictment alleges that between October 2024 and March 2025, Alimov coordinated with others to target these individuals, who have previously faced multiple assassination attempts.
“As alleged, Denis Alimov and his co-conspirators tried to murder or kidnap two well-known dissidents, with Alimov offering a co-conspirator $1.5 million for each victim,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “This chilling attempt shows not only the lengths malign actors will go to silence critics, but also, the resolve, expertise, and ability of American law enforcement and our partners abroad to disrupt those plots and bring those responsible to justice.”
Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence & Espionage Division stated: “Alimov has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a plot to locate, kidnap, and murder political dissidents who dared to speak out against their authoritarian regime. Transnational repression poses a serious and growing threat to individual rights and freedoms, and the FBI is committed to investigating all plots involving U.S.-based criminal actors or victims. Today’s announcement makes clear that combating this threat is among our highest priorities, and we will work with our partners at home and abroad to find and hold accountable those who use threats and violence to silence dissent.”
James C. Barnacle Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office added: “Denis Alimov allegedly plotted with others to kidnap or murder two foreign dissidents and offered a co-conspirator a bounty for his help carrying out that plot. The FBI will continue to prevent hired guns from prowling the globe to carry out the nefarious agenda of others, no matter where they are.”
The investigation found that in October 2024 Alimov met with an alleged co-conspirator named Darko Durovic near the headquarters of a foreign country’s internal security service. During this meeting he reportedly paid Durovic about $60,000 as initial financing for the operation and promised up to $1.5 million per victim if successful.
Subsequent communications included sharing information such as IP addresses and phone numbers related to one target. Durovic researched firearms while planning travel within Europe in search of both targets; he also recruited another accomplice who discussed funding efforts described as needing “a hunting team” for locating them.
Alimov faces several charges: conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping overseas (maximum life sentence), conspiracy/provision/attempted provision of material support for terrorists (up to 15 years each), conspiracy/financing terrorism (up to 20 years each). Sentencing would be determined by a judge if convicted.
U.S. officials acknowledged cooperation among various divisions within the FBI as well as assistance from counterparts at the Department of Justice’s National Security Division; Criminal Division; Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá; United States Embassy in Colombia; Colombian law enforcement agencies; among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley and Kaylan E. Lasky are leading prosecution efforts alongside Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe from DOJ’s Counterterrorism Section.
The indictment notes all facts remain allegations until proven otherwise in court proceedings.
