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| ASIF RAZA MEERCHANT |
A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was indicted Tuesday for allegedly plotting to kill US politicians.
Merchant, with alleged ties to Iran, was accused of a murder-for-hire scheme assassinate a politician or US government official. Federal authorities foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out.
Although the indictment does not mention Donald Trump, CBS cited sources who stated that the Republican presidential nominee was one of the intended targets.
“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 regime's playbook,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “A foreign-directed plot to kill a public official, or any US citizen, is a serious threat to our national security and will be met with the full might and resources of the FBI. Protecting Americans from terrorists remains our highest priority.”
Merchant was initially arrested and charged in July 2024 when he was ordered detained and remains in federal custody.
The arrest and indictment comes a month after 20-year-old Thomas Mathhew Crooks tried to assassinate Trump at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
As set forth in court documents, in approximately April, after spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the United States from Pakistan and contacted a person he believed could assist him with the scheme to kill a politician or government official. That person reported Merchant’s intention to law enforcement and became a confidential source (the CS).
In early June, Merchant met the CS in New York and explained his assassination plot. Merchant told the CS that the opportunity he had for the CS was not a one-time opportunity and would be ongoing. Merchant then made a “finger gun” motion with his hand, indicating that the opportunity was related to a killing.
As set forth in court documents, in approximately April, after spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the United States from Pakistan and contacted a person he believed could assist him with the scheme to kill a politician or government official. That person reported Merchant’s intention to law enforcement and became a confidential source (the CS).
In early June, Merchant met the CS in New York and explained his assassination plot. Merchant told the CS that the opportunity he had for the CS was not a one-time opportunity and would be ongoing. Merchant then made a “finger gun” motion with his hand, indicating that the opportunity was related to a killing.
Merchant further stated that the intended victims would be “targeted here,” in the United States. Merchant instructed the source to arrange meetings with individuals whom Merchant could hire to carry out these actions. Merchant explained that his plot involved multiple criminal schemes: stealing documents or USB drives from a target’s home; planning a protest; and killing a politician or government official.
At that meeting, Merchant began planning potential assassination scenarios and quizzed the CS on how he would kill a target in the various scenarios. Specifically, Merchant asked the CS to explain how the target would die in different scenarios. Merchant told the CS that there would be “security [] all around” the person.
Merchant stated that the assassination would occur after he left the United States, and he would communicate with the source from overseas using code. The same source asked whether Merchant had spoken to the unidentified “party” back home with whom Merchant was working. Merchant responded that he had and that the party back home told him to “finalize” the plan and leave the United States.
In mid-June, Merchant met with the purported hitmen, who were in fact undercover US law enforcement officers in New York. Merchant advised the undercover officers that he was looking for three services from them: theft of documents, arranging protests at political rallies and for them to kill a “political person.” Merchant stated that the hitmen would receive instructions on who to kill either the last week of August or the first week of September, after Merchant had departed the United States.
Merchant then began arranging means to obtain $5,000 in cash to pay the men he believed were hitmen as an advance payment for the assassination, which he eventually received with assistance from an individual overseas.
At that meeting, Merchant began planning potential assassination scenarios and quizzed the CS on how he would kill a target in the various scenarios. Specifically, Merchant asked the CS to explain how the target would die in different scenarios. Merchant told the CS that there would be “security [] all around” the person.
Merchant stated that the assassination would occur after he left the United States, and he would communicate with the source from overseas using code. The same source asked whether Merchant had spoken to the unidentified “party” back home with whom Merchant was working. Merchant responded that he had and that the party back home told him to “finalize” the plan and leave the United States.
In mid-June, Merchant met with the purported hitmen, who were in fact undercover US law enforcement officers in New York. Merchant advised the undercover officers that he was looking for three services from them: theft of documents, arranging protests at political rallies and for them to kill a “political person.” Merchant stated that the hitmen would receive instructions on who to kill either the last week of August or the first week of September, after Merchant had departed the United States.
Merchant then began arranging means to obtain $5,000 in cash to pay the men he believed were hitmen as an advance payment for the assassination, which he eventually received with assistance from an individual overseas.
On June 21, Merchant met with the undercover officres in New York and paid them the $5,000 advance. After Merchant paid the $5,000 to the men, one of them stated, “now we’re bonded,” to which Merchant responded “yes.” The undercover oficers then stated “Now we know we’re going forward. We’re doing this,” to which Merchant responded “Yes, absolutely.”
Merchant subsequently made flight arrangements and planned to leave the United States on Friday, July 12. On July 12, law enforcement agents arrested Merchant before he could leave the country.
Merchant subsequently made flight arrangements and planned to leave the United States on Friday, July 12. On July 12, law enforcement agents arrested Merchant before he could leave the country.
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.”
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