A Pakistani man with ties to the Iranian government has been accused of plotting to kill US government officials in a murder-for-hire scheme. According to the Department of Justice, Asif Raza Merchant traveled to the US to hire hitmen, who turned out to be undercover agents. The plot, part of Iran’s retaliation for the killing of General Soleimani, involved using coded language and elaborate plans. Merchant was arrested before he could leave the country, and the FBI claims this foiled plot is a stark example of the ongoing threats against US officials from foreign actors.
Merchant, now in federal custody, traveled to the US to find hitmen who turned out to be undercover officers. This plot was supposed to happen in August or September this year, as revealed in a recently unsealed indictment in New York.
Interestingly, this case is not related to the recent attempt on Donald Trump’s life during a rally in Pennsylvania. Officials believe that the 20-year-old gunman in that incident is not connected to Merchant’s scheme.
According to the FBI, Trump might have been one of Merchant’s targets. CNN first reported this indictment.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Justice Department has been working hard to counter Iran’s continuous efforts to retaliate against American officials after the killing of Iranian General Soleimani. He emphasized that the Justice Department will use all resources to stop and hold accountable those who plan such lethal plots against American citizens, stressing that they won’t tolerate any foreign threats to US national security.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that threats from Iran are a top priority for national security.
Merchant visited Iran in April and then came to the US from Pakistan. He contacted someone he thought could help with the attacks, who was actually working with law enforcement.
In May, Merchant met this source and made a “finger gun” gesture while discussing the plan. He outlined a scheme that involved stealing documents from a target’s home, planning protests, and then killing a politician or government official.
Merchant arranged to pay $5,000 in cash to hire the hitmen, who were undercover officers. He said the murders would happen while he was out of the country, and he would use code words to give instructions.
The source was supposed to run a fake clothing business to launder money for the operation, using “tee-shirt” for “protest,” “flannel shirt” for “stealing,” and “fleece jacket” for “killing.” “Denim jacket” meant “sending money,” and Merchant planned to send $5,000 for the hitmen.
In June, Merchant detailed that the hitmen needed to steal documents, stage protests at political rallies, and then kill a political person. The assassination instructions were to be given at the end of August or early September, after Merchant had left the country.
Merchant was arrested on July 12 while preparing to leave the US, carrying a handwritten note with the code words.
FBI Director Christopher Wray described the plot as typical of Iran’s tactics. He stated that any foreign plot to kill a US official is a serious national security threat and will be met with the full force of the FBI.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen added that targeting US officials by foreign actors is an attack on US sovereignty and democratic institutions.
