Pakistani Man Asif Raza Merchant Charged in US Assassination Plot Targeting Officials Including Trump
The US Justice Department has charged Asif Raza Merchant, a 46-year-old Pakistani national, with planning political assassinations in the United States. According to court documents, Merchant allegedly worked on behalf of the Iranian government and targeted former President Donald Trump and other US officials.
Merchant was arrested after attempting to hire undercover FBI agents to carry out the plot. Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis of the FBI New York Field Office stated, “Fortunately, the assassins Merchant allegedly tried to hire were undercover FBI Agents.”
US Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York emphasized the swift and decisive action taken to protect national security. Merchant’s plan included various criminal activities, such as stealing documents and organizing protests, before ultimately assassinating a political figure or government official.
Merchant arrived in the US from Pakistan in April 2024 and contacted a person he believed could assist him, who then reported his intentions to law enforcement. In June, Merchant met with undercover FBI agents, believing them to be hitmen, and arranged to pay $5,000 in advance for their services. He was arrested before he could leave the country in July 2024.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani -: Pakistani means someone who is from Pakistan, a country that is India’s neighbor.
Asif Raza Merchant -: Asif Raza Merchant is the name of the man from Pakistan who has been charged with planning to harm important people in the US.
US Justice Department -: The US Justice Department is a part of the US government that makes sure laws are followed and people who break them are punished.
Assassination Plot -: An assassination plot is a secret plan to kill someone, usually an important person.
Donald Trump -: Donald Trump is a businessman who was the President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Iranian government -: The Iranian government is the group of people who run the country of Iran, which is another country far from India.
FBI -: The FBI, or Federal Bureau of Investigation, is a part of the US government that investigates serious crimes and threats.
US Attorney’s Office -: The US Attorney’s Office is a group of lawyers who work for the US government to take legal action against people who break the law.
National security -: National security means keeping a country safe from threats or attacks from other countries or groups.
Foreign threats -: Foreign threats are dangers that come from outside a country, like from other countries or groups.
