Pakistani man with Iran ties now faces terrorism charges for failed plot to kill US officials
US Justice Department (File Photo)
A Pakistani man, who allegedly plotted to kill former and current US government officials, has now been charged with terrorism, according to an indictment filed in the federal court.
In July, Asif Merchant was initially charged on a single count of murder for hire in a complaint, that further alleged that the 46-year-old man flew to the United States to "recruit individuals to carry out his plot to assassinate U.S. government officials."
On Tuesday, a new two-count indictment unfolded in the USDistrict Court for the Eastern District of New York, which reiterated the murder-for-hire count and added a charge accusing Merchant of attempting to carry out an act of terrorism.
Merchant, a native of Pakistan, with family in Iran, "attempt[ed] to kill a person within the United States" who was either "a member of the uniformed services" or "any official" of the US government, the indictment read.
According to the charging documents filed earlier this year, Merchant had "a wife and children in Iran" and records "indicated frequent travel to Iran, Syria, and Iraq."
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However, neither the original complaint nor the new indictment named Merchant's alleged targets.
Several sources familiar with the investigation, told CBS News last month that Merchant planned to assassinate current and former government officials, adding that he had yet to finalize the plan, but former president Donald Trump was among the possible targets.
Last week, GOP Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said that according to the evidence received, President Joe Biden and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley were also potential targets.
The prosecutors alleged that he hired two undercover FBI agents as assassins, but it's unclear how much progress he made recruiting the other plotters.
According to the criminal complaint, Merchant told the men he would provide more instructions about the alleged plot in "either the last week of August 2024 or the first week of September 2024," including the target's name.
Allegedly, he also planned to steal documents and USB drives.
The US intelligence and law enforcement officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, had been investigating various threats from Iran against politicians and government officials.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, in a statement, said, "The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran's efforts to target our country's public officials and endanger our national security."
(With inputs from agencies)
