WASHINGTON (AP) — An Iranian man who federal prosecutors say operates a criminal network that targets dissidents and activists abroad has been charged alongside a pair of Canadians with plotting to kill two people, including a defector from Iran, who had fled to the United States.
In this case, prosecutors say, Naji Sharifi Zindashti conspired with two Canadian men between December 2020 and March 2021 to kill two Maryland residents.
The intended victims of the murder-for-hire plot were not identified in an indictment, but prosecutors described them as having fled to the United States after one of them had defected from Iran.
The plot was ultimately disrupted, the Justice Department said.
Prosecutors say Ryan and Pearson are currently imprisoned in Canada on unrelated charges.
Persons:
Sharifi Zindashti, Matthew Olsen, John Bolton, Trump, Biden, He's, Damion Patrick John Ryan, Adam Richard Pearson, Ryan, Pearson, “
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, Justice Department, Department, Justice, Department's, U.S, Associated Press, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence, Security, Treasury Department, Monday
Locations:
Iran, United States, China, Maryland, Iranian American, Jordan, American, U.S, Canada, Minnesota