Overview
- U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon sentenced Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov to 300 months after their March convictions for murder-for-hire, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related charges.
- Prosecutors said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps offered a $500,000 bounty that the men pursued to build standing within an Eastern European/Russian crime group.
- Khalid Mehdiyev, the hired triggerman, was arrested in July 2022 near Alinejad’s Brooklyn home with an AK-47, 66 rounds of ammunition, a ski mask, and cash; he pleaded guilty, testified for the government, and awaits sentencing.
- Prosecutors sought 55-year terms, defense lawyers asked for 10 to 13 years, and the judge called it a terrible crime before imposing 25 years on each defendant.
- Four Iranians, including alleged IRGC brigadier Ruhollah Bazghandi, were charged in 2024 and remain at large, and prosecutors say the broader investigation remains open.