The US Department of Justice announced charges on Tuesday against a Pakistani man with alleged ties to the Iranian government for attempting to carry out political assassinations within the United States. Authorities successfully thwarted the plot.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged Asif Merchant, 46, with traveling to New York and collaborating with a hitman to execute assassinations in late August or early September.
The Justice Department’s statement detailed the charges against Merchant, accusing him of murder-for-hire as part of a scheme to assassinate a political or US government official on American soil.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the Justice Department is committed to stopping and holding accountable those who conspire to execute Iran’s deadly plots against US citizens.
He underscored that the US will not tolerate attempts by authoritarian regimes to target American officials and jeopardize national security.
FBI Director Christopher Wray attributed the “dangerous murder-for-hire plot” to Iran, noting Merchant’s close ties to the country.
Wray described the conspiracy to assassinate a public official or any American citizen as a significant national security threat.
A senior US official informed CNN that FBI investigators believe former President Donald Trump, along with other current and former U.S. government officials, were intended targets of the plot. This revelation has led to heightened security measures for the Republican candidate and other officials.
Merchant was arrested on July 12 while preparing to leave the United States, shortly after meeting with supposed hitmen who were, in fact, undercover US law enforcement officers.
The FBI did not find any evidence linking Merchant to the recent shooting incident involving Trump in Pennsylvania.
According to court documents, Merchant expressed a desire to target individuals he believed were harming Pakistan, the world, and the Islamic community, emphasizing that his targets were not just ordinary people.
Merchant arrived in New York City in April, aiming to hire a hitman to carry out the assassinations.
Despite being a Pakistani citizen, prosecutors noted that he had lived in Iran for some time and had family there. Upon his arrival in the US, Merchant contacted someone he thought would assist him in the assassination plot.
However, this individual informed the FBI and began cooperating with investigators.
The FBI believes it successfully thwarted Merchant’s plot before any attacks could occur. Due to threats from the Iranian government against Trump, the FBI shared intelligence with the US Secret Service, which then enhanced security measures for the Republican candidate.
