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Pakistani man found guilty of plotting US political assassinations
A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Asif Merchant, 47, on Friday of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme targeting high-profile American officials, including former President Donald Trump. The plot, tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was foiled before any attacks occurred.
IRGC ties and assassination targets
Prosecutors presented evidence that Merchant, a trained IRGC operative, entered the U.S. from Pakistan in April 2024 after spending time in Iran. His mission, according to court testimony, was to recruit assets for the IRGC and arrange the killings of Trump, President Joe Biden, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Merchant admitted during the trial that his IRGC handler directed the plot as retaliation for the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. He claimed he complied under duress, alleging the IRGC threatened his relatives in Iran.
Undercover operation and arrest
In June 2024, Merchant contacted an individual he believed could facilitate the assassinations. That contact alerted authorities, leading to an undercover FBI operation. Posing as hitmen, agents met with Merchant in New York, where he outlined the plot. He was arrested in July 2024 before leaving the country.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated the scheme was disrupted before any harm was done, crediting the swift response of law enforcement.
Trial and verdict
The week-long trial concluded with a jury deliberating for less than two hours before delivering a guilty verdict on charges of murder-for-hire and attempted terrorism across national borders. Merchant now faces a potential life sentence.
"Iran's terrorist regime sent Asif Merchant here to sow mayhem and murder. Thanks to the vigilance of our law enforcement partners, his scheme ended in failure. Today, with Merchant's conviction, that failure is complete."
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.
Defense claims and next steps
Merchant's attorney, Christopher Neff, expressed disappointment with the verdict but noted that "complex and significant legal issues" remain unresolved. He indicated plans to appeal, citing Judge Komitee's acknowledgment of pending legal challenges.
Neff also stated that Merchant had hoped to cooperate with U.S. authorities in exchange for a green card, believing his arrest was inevitable before any violence occurred.
