Jury selection took place at Manhattan federal court, where Alinejad is expected to testify against her alleged attackers.

The trial of Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, accused of plotting to murder Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, began on March 10, 2025, in New York City.

Alinejad, a U.S. citizen and human rights activist who fled Iran, has faced multiple threats due to her outspoken criticism of the Iranian government.

The defendants allegedly offered a New York-based individual $30,000 to execute the plan, which was thwarted when Alinejad noticed suspicious activities and left her home.

The plot was uncovered when Alinejad reported suspicious behavior, leading to the arrest of a hired individual with a firearm and other incriminating items.

Prosecutors allege that Amirov recruited Omarov and a New York accomplice to carry out the assassination plot.

This case is part of a broader initiative by the Justice Department to combat transnational repression by adversaries like Iran targeting dissidents in the U.S.

The U.S. government alleges that Iran actively targets political dissidents abroad for kidnapping and execution to suppress dissent.

While some evidence of Iranian state-sponsored threats against Alinejad will be allowed, extensive historical details about Iran's actions will be limited to ensure fairness for the defendants.

Alinejad has emphasized the importance of the trial, stating it symbolizes her fight for freedom and justice against oppression.

Amirov and Omarov were charged in early 2023 along with a third suspect, Khalid Mehdiyev, who was arrested in 2022 after being found near Alinejad's home with a loaded rifle.

The case underscores the risks faced by dissidents and activists who speak out against repressive regimes.