The indictment alleges Farahani is an Iranian intelligence official who resides in Iran. Sadeghi, Khazeinand Noori all reside in Iran. And are Iranian intelligence assets who work for Farahani.
Another co-conspirator is currently a US resident living in California. Niloufar Bahadorifar, aka Nellie Bahadorifar, 46, also an Iranian national, allegedly provided financial services to fund the plot.
Using card accounts Bahadorifar paid for things like a private investigator for surveillance of the intended victim. For her role in supporting the plot, Bahadorifar will be charged with conspiring to violate sanctions against Iran, committing bank fraud, and money laundering. Bahadorifar is also charged with structuring cash deposits in excess of $445,000.
This network run by Farahani also targeted victims in other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
Plot to kidnap journalist run from Iran
US prosecutors claim that in 2018, the Iranian government tried to entice or even pay Alinejad’s family members in Iran to invite her to a third country. They intended to abduct her in another country and take her back to Iran.
