U.S. prosecutors have charged Brigadier General Ruhollah Bazghandi and three associates from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in a failed plot to assassinate activist Masih Alinejad. This indictment follows earlier federal murder-for-hire charges against an Eastern European criminal organization linked to the attempt. Alinejad, who campaigns against Iran’s oppression of women, has faced threats from the Iranian government in the past.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have accused a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards official and three other associates in a thwarted assassination attempt against human-rights activist Masih Alinejad. This indictment, revealed recently, is a significant escalation, marking the first direct allegations against a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards member involved in the plot. Alinejad has been outspoken against Iran’s oppressive actions against women, and prior efforts to harm her were linked to an Eastern European criminal group. The charged individual, Brigadier General Ruhollah Bazghandi, has ties to Iran’s elite paramilitary force, known for executing the regime’s military strategies and dominating its economy. The U.S. Treasury previously sanctioned Bazghandi for his role in various serious offenses, including leading plots against journalists and reviled figures. His involvement in Alinejad’s targeted attack underscores the lengths to which Iranian authorities will go to silence dissent. Alinejad, once a Brooklyn resident, has since relocated but remains a vocal critic of Iranian policies. In 2020, she disclosed that the Iranian regime had openly called for her abduction via social media, highlighting the growing threats against her. This chilling narrative reveals the dangerous intersection of activism and international politics, as authoritarian regimes seek to quash opposition at all costs.
The article sheds light on a serious indictment against a high-ranking Iranian official, shedding light on Iran’s attempts to silence dissent, particularly against activists championing human rights. It highlights the involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a major military and political player in Iran, which undertakes clandestine operations, often targeting outspoken critics abroad. The atmosphere surrounding Alinejad’s story represents the ongoing battle between authoritarian regimes and advocates for freedom, particularly regarding women’s rights in Iran.
The indictment of Brigadier General Ruhollah Bazghandi reveals the perilous reach of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards into the lives of activists like Masih Alinejad. This disturbing case underscores the lengths to which the Iranian government will go to protect its reputation and silence critics. As global awareness of these tactics grows, advocates continue to resist, highlighting the need for vigilance and support for human rights around the world.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
