Iranian Dissident Masih Alinejad Faces Would-Be Assassin in Federal Court
In a shocking turn of events, Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad is set to face one of her would-be assassins in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. The 48-year-old critic of Iran's repression of women has survived three plots by the regime to kill or kidnap her.
Alinejad will confront Carlisle Rivera, one of two men who were hired by Iranian operatives to murder her at a speaking event at Fairfield University in Connecticut in February 2024. The plot was foiled after months of surveillance, and both Rivera and his accomplice Jonathan Loadholt pleaded guilty before their cases could go to trial.
Rivera faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for conspiring to commit murder-for-hire, while Loadholt's sentencing is scheduled for April 23. Alinejad has previously stated that she believes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is behind the assassination plots, and that President Trump was also targeted by the same operatives.
"I want to face him and say, really you wanted to shoot at a university? How many innocent students could have been killed by you?" Alinejad said of Rivera's sentencing. She views her mission as exposing the situation in Iran and giving voice to victims, but worries that the attempts on her life will create fear among potential speakers.
Alinejad is a journalist and leader of a movement to free Iranian women from the compulsory hijab. She fled Iran in 2009 and has been a vocal critic of the regime's human rights abuses. Her case has sparked international attention, with many calling for accountability from the US government for its handling of the situation.
When asked about her experiences, Alinejad said, "By sending killers to America, they're not just targeting me. They're targeting the freedom of speech in America." She added that she is grateful to the US for bringing her would-be assassins to justice but wants the regime's leader, Ali Khamenei, held accountable by the United States.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the West, particularly the US, which has been critical of the regime's human rights abuses. As Alinejad faces one of her would-be assassins in court, she remains a powerful voice for Iranian women and a symbol of resistance against the regime's oppression.
In a shocking turn of events, Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad is set to face one of her would-be assassins in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. The 48-year-old critic of Iran's repression of women has survived three plots by the regime to kill or kidnap her.
Alinejad will confront Carlisle Rivera, one of two men who were hired by Iranian operatives to murder her at a speaking event at Fairfield University in Connecticut in February 2024. The plot was foiled after months of surveillance, and both Rivera and his accomplice Jonathan Loadholt pleaded guilty before their cases could go to trial.
Rivera faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for conspiring to commit murder-for-hire, while Loadholt's sentencing is scheduled for April 23. Alinejad has previously stated that she believes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is behind the assassination plots, and that President Trump was also targeted by the same operatives.
"I want to face him and say, really you wanted to shoot at a university? How many innocent students could have been killed by you?" Alinejad said of Rivera's sentencing. She views her mission as exposing the situation in Iran and giving voice to victims, but worries that the attempts on her life will create fear among potential speakers.
Alinejad is a journalist and leader of a movement to free Iranian women from the compulsory hijab. She fled Iran in 2009 and has been a vocal critic of the regime's human rights abuses. Her case has sparked international attention, with many calling for accountability from the US government for its handling of the situation.
When asked about her experiences, Alinejad said, "By sending killers to America, they're not just targeting me. They're targeting the freedom of speech in America." She added that she is grateful to the US for bringing her would-be assassins to justice but wants the regime's leader, Ali Khamenei, held accountable by the United States.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the West, particularly the US, which has been critical of the regime's human rights abuses. As Alinejad faces one of her would-be assassins in court, she remains a powerful voice for Iranian women and a symbol of resistance against the regime's oppression.
IRAN IS SO CRAZY RIGHT NOW!!! MASIH ALINEJAD IS LIKE A SUPERHERO TO ME SHE FLEW AWAY FROM IRAN BECAUSE THEY WERE TRYING TO KILL HER AND NOW SHE'S STANDING UP FOR HERSELF AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO TAKE HER LIFE I FEEL SO BAD FOR HER AND ALL THE OTHERIRANIAN WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN OPRESSED BY THE GOVERNMENT 
IT'S LIKE, THEY CAN'T EVEN LIVE THEIR LIVES WITHOUT BEING THREATENED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE IRGC...ANYWAY, I HOPE CARLISLE RIVERA GETS A LONG SENTENCE OR SOMETHING FOR TRYING TO TAKE MASIH ALINEJAD'S LIFE 
she's like a real-life superhero, survivin all these plots to kill her... it's crazy how far Iran will go to silence someone speakin out against their human rights abuses 
. i'm all for holdin the regime accountable, but i wish they could've found a more peaceful way to deal with her. i mean, can't we just talk things out instead of resortin to violence? 
anyway, hope masih gets some justice and that her voice continues to inspire others to speak up against oppression 
I've always been fascinated by their cherry blossom festivals and how they plan everything down to the last detail. But anyway, have you ever noticed how some people's faces just light up when they talk about food? Like, my friend's grandma is obsessed with baking and she can go on for hours about different types of flour and sugar ratios 
I mean, it's nice to be enthusiastic about something, but sometimes I wish people would talk about other things too... like travel destinations or hobbies. What do you think makes a good foodie?
I feel bad for her and all the Iranian women who are still sufferin under this regime. Maybe if ppl in power would take a closer look at their actions and actually do somethin about it, then we might see some real change 
Can't believe we're having to deal with this drama in the US too... Like, can't Iran just leave its people alone? Alinejad is literally fighting for their freedom and now she has to face one of her would-be assassins in court? 
And now we're supposed to feel bad for them because they're "targeting the freedom of speech in America"? Give me a break, Iran 
I think it's amazing that Masih Alinejad is finally facing justice for the would-be assassin who tried to harm her. It's like, she's still alive because of our country's laws and system 
. And can you believe how many plots they had on her life? Like, three! That's crazy 
. And it's really interesting that she's saying that they're targeting freedom of speech in America too... like, we need to be more vigilant about protecting our rights, you know? 
i cant even believe this is happening!!! masih alinejad is such a strong woman and i admire her so much 
she has been through so much already and now she gets to confront one of her would be assassins in court 
its just heartbreaking to think about all the innocent people who couldve been hurt if not for the brave women like masih alinejad fighting for freedom 
. I'm so glad justice is being served and her would-be assassin is finally facing consequences 
Alinejad's case highlights the dangers of dissenting voices being silenced, especially for women and minorities 
. We need to keep amplifying her message and supporting Iranian women's rights 
And what really gets me is that Alinejad isn't just fighting for herself, she's fighting for the freedom of speech and human rights in America too. That's a big responsibility, and I hope she doesn't have to face any backlash from her own government.