NEW YORK: A Pakistani man with ties to Iran has been charged for allegedly plotting to assassinate a US official in retaliation for the US killing of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Asif Raza Merchant, 46, allegedly sought to hire a hitman to assassinate a politician or a US government official in the United States, the Justice Department and prosecutors said in a statement.
“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,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
Soleimani, the head of Iran’s foreign military operations, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed to avenge his killing.
“As alleged, Merchant orchestrated a plot to assassinate US politicians and government officials. Today’s indictment is a message to terrorists here and abroad,” United States Attorney Breon Peace added.
The intended victim was not identified but the attorney general has previously said no evidence has emerged to link Merchant with the July 13 assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has said the Pakistani national had “close ties to Iran” and that the alleged murder-for-hire plot was “straight out of the Iranian playbook.”
Another FBI official said the assassins Merchant allegedly tried to hire were in fact undercover FBI agents.
“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,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
“That person reported Merchant’s conduct to law enforcement and became a confidential source.”
Merchant was arrested on July 12 as he planned to leave the country.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in August it had “not received any report on this from the American government.”
“But it is clear that this method is contrary to the Iranian government’s policy of pursuing Soleimani’s killer,” the mission said in a statement carried by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
In August 2022, the United States charged a member of the Revolutionary Guards with plotting to assassinate former US National Security Adviser John Bolton.
The Justice Department said Shahram Poursafi, who remains at large, had offered to pay an individual in the United States $300,000 to kill Bolton.
Pakistani national charged in alleged Iran plot to kill US official
https://arab.news/jmts8
Pakistani national charged in alleged Iran plot to kill US official
- Asif Raza Merchant was arrested on July 12 as he planned to leave the US
- He allegedly sought to hire a hitman to avenge an Iranian general’s killing
Punjab police raid Lahore home of ex-PM Khan aide — party
- Salman Akram Raja has been PTI secretary general since Sept. 2024, head of legal affairs since August
- Unclear why police raided Raja’s home and no confirmation of the operation from Punjab police force
ISLAMABAD: Several members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday confirmed raids by provincial police in Punjab on the home of senior party leader Salman Akram Raja.
Raja has been serving as the secretary general of the PTI since September 2024 and as the party’s head of legal affairs since August 2024. It was unclear why police had raided his home but many PTI top leaders have been arrested since the party held a rally on Sept. 8 to demand their leader’s release from prison. Authorities say a law related to public gatherings in the federal capital was violated during the rally.
“Shame on Punjab Police for raiding residence of Salman Akram Raja sb in Lahore. Alhamdulillah, he is safe,” lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi, who is a member of the PTI Core Committee, said on X.
“Such unwarranted police raids show the desperation and shamelessness of this unlawful [government],” Lawyer and PTI leader from Multan, Taimur Malik, said on X. “This raid at Salman Akram Raja’s residence will only increase the resentment against this Govt in the public & legal community.”
There was no confirmation of the raids by Punjab police.
Earlier this week, PTI lawmakers arrested on Sept. 9 following the rally in Islamabad were ordered released by a local court. The legislators had been charged with violating the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act by holding a rally in Islamabad on Sept. 8 that went on longer than the designated time and in which one policeman was injured as PTI supporters clashed with authorities en route to the rally.
The PTI said a number of the lawmakers were detained from inside the parliament building, triggering protests and condemnation from the party. They were granted bail on Monday submission of surety bonds worth Rs30,000 [$100].
Following the arrests, the National Assembly speaker had opened an inquiry into the incident on Tuesday, citing that under Pakistani law, legislators cannot be detained from within the precincts of the parliament without the speaker’s permission.
Khan’s party alleges it has faced an over a year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after Khan’s brief arrest that day in a land graft case.
Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.
Since his removal, Khan and his party have waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military and now the PTI is aiming to mobilize the public through rallies to call for their leader’s release from jail in “politically motivated” cases.
The party’s next rally is planned for Sept. 22 in the eastern city of Lahore.
After historic Pakistan win, Bangladesh Tests ‘no dress rehearsal’, says India’s Rohit
- India lead the World Test Championship standings ahead of Australia
- India will host Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting from Thursday
CHENNAI, India: Captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday warned his India team there is “no dress rehearsal” in cricket as they face a Bangladesh side fresh from a historic Test series win over Pakistan.
India lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings ahead of Australia, where Rohit’s team will tour for a five-match series later in the year.
But first they host Bangladesh in a two-Test series, starting with the opener in the northern Indian city of Chennai from Thursday.
India are clear favorites but the visitors recently celebrated a landmark 2-0 series sweep in Pakistan.
“There is no dress rehearsal kind of stuff happening here,” Rohit told reporters, cautioning against minds turning too quickly to Australia.
“Every game is important because of what is at stake — the WTC table is quite wide open,” Rohit added. “We want to win here, and start the season on a high.”
The skipper added: “In terms of preparation, in terms of readiness, I feel we are quite ready for this game, and what lies ahead of us.”
India’s last Test series was at home earlier this year when they beat England 4-1.
India won the T20 World Cup in June, their first International Cricket Council title in 11 years.
But there was “no way” his players would “relax and sit back” as a result, the 37-year-old Rohit said.
“Us cricketers, we have got limited time to play the game, to make an impact in the sport that we play,” he said.
India will host New Zealand for three Tests in October and November, before traveling to Australia, the current World Test champions.
“Every team likes to beat India. Let them have fun,” said Rohit of a Bangladesh team on a high after their first win over Pakistan.
“We need to win the match and that’s what we are here for.”
Paramilitary official killed while preventing armed robbery in Pakistani southern district
- Rangers team was on patrol when it encountered ongoing robbery attempt, inspector killed in exchange of fire
- Crime rates are high across Sindh, with over 60 percent of its crime taking place in the provincial capital of Karachi
KARACHI: A paramilitary Rangers official was killed while trying to prevent an armed robbery in Shaheed Benazirabad District on Tuesday, police said, amid a rise in crime in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province.
Tanveer Hussain Tunio, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the district, told Arab News a Rangers team was on patrol duty when officers encountered an ongoing armed robbery attempt.
“They intervened to arrest the suspects, and during the exchange of fire, a Rangers officer got injured who later succumbed to his wounds during treatment at hospital,” the SSP said.
“Both suspects have been arrested, and an investigation is underway.”
The deceased official has been identified as Sharak Rizwan, according to a report on the incident submitted to the Sindh inspector general police.
“Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has saluted the sacrifice of Rangers Inspector Sharak, who was martyred in an attack by unknown assailants in Shaheed Benazirabad,” state news agency APP reported.
“Expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Minister said during this time of grief, nation stands with the martyred inspector’s family and shares their grief.”
Crime rates are high across Sindh, with over 60 percent of crimes taking place in the provincial capital of Karachi, the country’s commercial hub and largest city.
The metropolis of 20 million that hosts the stock exchange and central bank has for decades been beset by armed violence. While an armed campaign led by the military against gangs and suspected militants in the city brought down crime rates after 2013, violence and crime rates have been on the rise again since last year, with shooting deaths in muggings and robberies once again becoming a daily headline.
In July, Karachi was ranked by Forbes as the second-riskiest city for tourists, with a rating of 93.12 out of 100, second only to Venezuela’s Caracas, which had a score of 100, while Myanmar’s Yangon ranked third with a score of 91.67 out of 100.
According to data from the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee, at least 90 people have been killed in street crimes in Karachi this year while at least 50,000 crimes were reported in Karachi between January and August.
Pakistan clinch Asian hockey bronze medal, India beat China in final
- This is India’s fifth Asian Champions Trophy title
- Pakistan won 5-2 against Korea to end their campaign
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan scored a stunning 5-2 win against Korea to end their campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy with a bronze medal on Tuesday at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in China, the International Hockey Federation said, as India defeated China in the final of the tournament.
It was goals by Sufyan Khan, Hannan Shahid, and Rooman that led to Pakistan’s victory while Jungjun Lee and Jihun Yang scored for Korea.
After a poor start, Pakistan, who were handed a disappointing loss in the semifinal by hosts China, made great amends to their game to bounce back in the second half of the match to clinch a thriller.
“We are very happy to finish the tournament on a good note. Definitely, it would have been great if we had won yesterday’s match (against China) and played the final against India today but we made a number of errors,” Sufyan Khan was quoted as saying after the game by the International Hockey Federation.
“Today, we didn’t start very well but during the half-time break, our Head Coach Tahir Zaman shook us up in his own style and instilled confidence that we can bounce back.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered an emphatic 4-1 win over Korea in the semifinal of the championship and advanced to the final against China, whom they beat 1-0, thus retaining their Asian Champions Trophy crown.
Jugraj Singh scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute, after a frustrating game for India, as they came up against a well-organized, stubborn Chinese defense.
This is India’s fifth Asian Champions Trophy title.
Pakistani man accused of plot to attack New York Jewish center will contest extradition — lawyer
- Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Canada earlier this month as he allegedly tried to enter the US
- US Justice Department accused Khan of plotting mass shooting at Jewish center in Brooklyn around Oct. 7 2024
TORONTO: A Pakistani man accused of plotting to attack a New York City Jewish center in support of Islamic State will contest his extradition hearing to the United States, his lawyer told Reuters.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Canada earlier this month as he allegedly tried to enter the US. He was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely Daesh, or Daesh.
The United States wants to extradite him.
“I have the mandate to contest the extradition hearing,” Khan’s lawyer, Gaetan Bourassa, told Reuters.
“He is a young person, arrested, and we will see what is their proof to ask to be extradited.”
He would not comment on the case without seeing evidence from the US, which has not yet been presented.
Khan was in Canada on a student visa, having entered the country in June 2023. His lawyer would not say what he was studying, or where.
The US Department of Justice accused Khan of plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn around Oct. 7, 2024, about a year after Hamas’ attack in Israel which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the US Department of Justice, Khan began posting his support for Daesh on an encrypted messaging application in November 2023. He allegedly communicated his attack plans to undercover agents.
