In Washington, three men have been accused of plotting a murder-for-hire in the United States of America against an Iranian Dissident and a woman that fled with the Iranian Dissident.
According to prosecutors of the Justice Department, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, a worker from Iran planned the international scheme for over two years, 2020 and 2021. He intended to send a team of hired gunmen to kill the unnamed victims from Maryland. Fortunately, Zindashti’s plot was ruined.
In 2020, the suspect began communicating with a 43-Year Old Canadian, Damion Patrick John Ryan. He offered him an opportunity to “make money”. The proceeding month, 29-Year Old Richard Pearson, a Canadian National living illegally in Minnesota was contacted by Hells Angels Motorcycle Club member Ryan.
According to messages between Ryan and Richard presented as an evidence in the Court, Richard said “Shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example.” He added “We gotta erase his head from his torso,”. Zindashti communicated with Ryan through an encrypted application. He said “ready for the plot to move forward,”. The men agreed for an hefty income of $350,000 to commit the crime and additional $20,000 for travelling costs.
Matt Olsen, the Head Of Justice Department’s National Security Division said “To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let today’s charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes — and wherever you are — and deliver justice,” .
The three accused have been charged for conspiracy and Richard has been charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm. While Zindashti has been detained in Iran, Richard and Ryan are in Canada. They will be convicted for their wrongdoings.
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