Iranian Dissident Faces Would-Be Assassin in Court

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian women's rights activist and journalist, confronted her would-be assassin, Carlisle Rivera, in a federal court in Manhattan. Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by the Iranian government. Prosecutors revealed that Rivera was allegedly hired for $100,000 to assassinate Alinejad, although he may not have been aware that he was working for the Iranian regime. This incident is part of a broader pattern of threats against Alinejad, who has survived three assassination attempts linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian dissident describes facing her would-be assassin in court: "It is not easy"Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in ManhattanEngland's High Court orders Saudi Arabia to pay £3m to dissident over Pegasus hack

Alinejad has been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime, particularly regarding its treatment of women and the compulsory hijab. She fled Iran in 2009 and has since become a prominent figure advocating for women's rights. In October 2024, two other men, believed to be associated with a Russian mob and hired by Iran, received 25-year sentences for a separate plot to kill Alinejad at her Brooklyn home. The latest plot involved Rivera and another associate, Jonathan Loadholt, who were arrested in November 2024 after a foiled attempt to murder Alinejad during a speaking engagement at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in ManhattanIranian dissident describes facing her would-be assassin in court: "It is not easy"England's High Court orders Saudi Arabia to pay £3m to dissident over Pegasus hack

Alinejad expressed her determination to confront her would-be assassin, stating, "Now I'm going to face the killer, my would-be assassin." She emphasized that the true perpetrators are the IRGC, which she accuses of orchestrating these plots. Alinejad also highlighted the broader implications of such threats, asserting that they target not only her but also the freedom of speech in the United States. She stated, "By sending killers to America, they're not just targeting me. They're targeting the freedom of speech in America."

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan

Critics of the Iranian regime have pointed to these assassination plots as evidence of its increasing desperation to silence dissent. Alinejad's case has drawn attention to the regime's tactics, which include intimidation and violence against activists abroad. The attempts on her life have raised concerns about the safety of dissidents and the implications for free speech in democratic societies.

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan

• “I want to face him and say, really you wanted to shoot at a university?” — Masih Alinejad

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan

• “The IRGC, the Revolutionary Guards, is behind the assassination plots. The same IRGC that is ordering a massacre right now in Iran,” — Masih Alinejad

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan

• “I have no army, no weapons, no soldiers, nothing.” — Masih Alinejad

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan

The sentencing of Rivera marks a significant moment in Alinejad's ongoing battle against the Iranian regime. As she continues to advocate for women's rights and freedom of expression, the international community is urged to hold the Iranian government accountable for its actions. Alinejad's case may prompt further discussions on the protection of dissidents and the need for robust measures against transnational repression.

Would-be assassin of Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad set for sentencing in Manhattan