New York, USA – The US Department of Justice sentenced an American citizen to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in an organized plot to assassinate Iranian-American political activist and journalist Masih Alinejad in New York City.
According to a statement released by the Justice Department on Wednesday, June 26, convicted Staten Island resident Jonathan Ludault played a pivotal role in a “hit-for-hire” plot directed—according to U.S. investigations—by Iranian government agents. The plot specifically targeted the assassination of Alinejad, a prominent U.S.-based critic of the Iranian government.
A stark warning against foreign interference
Commenting on the verdict, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “The Iranian government repeatedly attempted to track down and assassinate Masih Alinejad right here in the heart of New York City.” Clayton added that this ruling “should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to pursue financial gain by carrying out the orders of hostile foreign regimes on American soil.” The Department of Justice asserts that this case highlights the ongoing efforts by foreign intelligence agencies to intimidate and eliminate dissidents residing abroad. This constitutes a grave violation of U.S. sovereignty and national security.
A series of court convictions
Jonathan Ludault is the second defendant to be sentenced in this complex international conspiracy. In January 2026, Carlisle Rivera, a co-conspirator, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The third defendant in the case, Farhad Shakri, remains at large and is still wanted by U.S. authorities.
The investigation indicates that the plot relied on hiring local criminals to conduct close surveillance of activist Alinejad’s movements. This was a prelude to carrying out the assassination. These convictions represent a significant legal blow to networks that attempt to implement political agendas through violent means.
Masih Alinejad, who has survived several previous kidnapping and assassination attempts, remains an international symbol of human rights advocacy. Meanwhile, US authorities continue to pursue all those involved in these plots, affirming their unwavering commitment to protecting individuals residing within their borders from any external threats. They will not tolerate such operations, regardless of their complexity or the entities behind them.
