A Brooklyn man has received a 15-year prison sentence for his involvement in a thwarted murder-for-hire scheme linked to Iran, aimed at Masih Alinejad, a well-known Iranian dissident residing in the United States, according to statements from the Justice Department.
Carlisle Rivera, who is also known by the nickname “Pop,” previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit stalking. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman from the Southern District of New York handed down the sentence on Wednesday.
Alinejad, who escaped Iran in 2009, has been a vocal opponent of the country’s head-covering laws and a prominent journalist. She actively engages with millions of followers on social media, sharing videos that depict women defying these laws. At the time of the alleged assassination plot, Alinejad was living in Brooklyn.
This case underscores a broader initiative by the Justice Department to combat what it terms transnational repression, where authoritarian regimes target political dissidents outside their borders. Prosecutors revealed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and intelligence officials have made multiple attempts to target Alinejad, although the Iranian government has dismissed the accusations as unfounded.
The case is part of a wider effort, with other individuals also convicted and sentenced in connection to the alleged plot against Alinejad, highlighting the severity of international threats faced by dissidents and activists. While challenges remain, Alinejad’s resilience and advocacy continue to draw attention, inspiring many around the world to stand against oppression.