Assassination Plot: Pakistani Man Accused of Targeting American Politician
A Pakistani man with connections to Iran, Asif Raza Merchant, has been charged with murder-for-hire in Brooklyn federal court for allegedly plotting to assassinate an American politician on U.S. soil. Federal prosecutors revealed that Merchant identified former President Donald Trump as one of his possible targets, according to sources familiar with the case.
Background of the Plot
Merchant, 46, traveled from Pakistan to the United States in April after spending time in Iran. Upon his arrival, he reached out to individuals he believed could assist him in carrying out the assassination plan. However, his contacts alerted law enforcement authorities, leading to Merchant becoming a confidential informant for the federal government.
The Foiled Scheme
The FBI disclosed that Merchant, in collaboration with an informant, attempted to recruit hitmen in New York in June. Unbeknownst to them, the supposed hitmen were actually undercover police officers. They were offered $5,000 upfront for their services. While the criminal complaint against Merchant does not specify the politicians he intended to target, sources mentioned that Trump was on the list of potential victims.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Merchant was apprehended in Texas on July 15 and presented before a magistrate judge in Brooklyn on July 17. The case remained under wraps until it was unsealed on Tuesday. As the investigation unfolds, more details regarding the foiled assassination plot are expected to emerge. Please stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
