By A Pakistani national with alleged ties to Iran was charged in a New York federal court on Tuesday over a plot to assassinate a US politician and other officials on American soil.
CNN reported that the intended targets included former President Donald Trump and other current and former government officials, although the White House clarified there was no connection to the assassination attempt against the Republican presidential nominee in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The criminal complaint, unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court, announced the arrest and charging of 46-year-old Asif Raza Merchant in a “murder-for-hire” plot as part of a scheme to assassinate a US politician or government officials.
“This dangerous murder-for-hire plot was allegedly orchestrated by a Pakistani national with close ties to Iran and is straight out of the Iranian playbook,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Documents revealed that Merchant, a resident of Karachi, had alleged ties to Tehran. He told investigators he has a wife and children in Iran and a separate family in Pakistan.
Law enforcement “foiled the charged plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant is in federal custody in New York,” the documents stated.
The court documents clarified that “charges in the complaint are allegations, and Merchant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
According to court documents, in April 2024, after spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the US from Pakistan and contacted a person he believed could assist with the scheme. That person reported Merchant’s conduct to law enforcement and became a confidential source for US law enforcement.
In early June, Merchant met the source in New York and explained his assassination plot. He indicated there would be multiple opportunities to carry out the plot, making a “finger gun” motion to signify the killing.
Merchant stated that the intended victims would be targeted in the US and instructed the source to arrange meetings with individuals to hire for the actions. He planned potential assassination scenarios and quizzed the source on killing methods. Merchant mentioned the targets would have “security all around.”
When asked if he had communicated with the unidentified “party” back home, Merchant confirmed and said he was told to “finalize” the plan and leave the US.
In mid-June, Merchant met with purported hitmen, who were undercover US law enforcement officers. He sought three services: theft of documents, organizing protests at political rallies, and killing a “political person.” He advised the hitmen would receive instructions in late August or early September after he departs from the US.
Merchants began arranging to obtain $5,000 in cash for the advance payment. He received the money with assistance from an individual overseas and planned to leave the US on July 12. However, he was arrested before he could depart.
Officials at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, which currently does not have an ambassador, stated they were reviewing the matter and were not yet in a position to comment.
Meanwhile, a Foreign Office spokesperson in Islamabad acknowledged in a statement issued early Wednesday that they were in touch with US authorities over the “ongoing investigation” and awaiting further details.
