Pakistani National with Ties to Iran Indicted on Terrorism Charge in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Politicians and Government Officials

Merchant was previously arrested and charged by complaint in July 2024. Merchant was ordered detained and is currently in federal custody.

U.S. Department of Justice: Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was indicted yesterday with attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and murder-for-hire as part of a scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on U.S. soil.

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Law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant was previously arrested and charged by complaint in July 2024. Merchant was ordered detained and is currently in federal custody.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to target our country’s public officials and endanger our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.  

“As these terrorism and murder for hire charges against Asif Merchant demonstrate, we will continue to hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran’s lethal plotting against Americans.”

Murder-For-Hire Plot Allegedly Orchestrated By Pakistani National With Close Ties To Iran: