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Violating Iran Sanctions Bahadorifar Gets
4 Years After Target Masih Alinejad Speaks
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon Photos
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
April 7 – For violating
Iran sanctions and money
laundering, Niloufar
Bahadorifar was charged in an
indictment unsealed on July 1,
2021.
On July 2,
U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York
Judge Ronnie Abrams granted
Bahadorifar pre-trial release
on $250,000 Personal
Recognizance Bond and no
contact with known victims or
witnesses except Saman
Mehdizadeh.
On July 8, Judge
Abrams held a proceeding with
Bahadorifar appearing by
video, now represented by the
Federal Defenders (who brought
up the seizure of her driver's
license). She pleaded not
guilty; the next conference
was set for October 15.
On July 13, the
unsealing of kidnapping
conspiracy, sanctions
violations conspiracy, bank
and wire fraud conspiracy, and
money laundering conspiracy
charges against ALIREZA
SHAVAROGHI FARAHANI, a/k/a
“Vezarat Salimi,” a/k/a “Haj
Ali,” MAHMOUD KHAZEIN, KIYA
SADEGHI, and OMID NOORI, and
sanctions violations
conspiracy, bank and wire
fraud conspiracy, money
laundering conspiracy, and
structuring charges against
NILOUFAR BAHADORIFAR. See here.
It is expanding...
The indictment
said Bahadorifar a/k/a Nellie
"and others known and unknown
would and did provide and
cause others to provide
services to Iran and to the
Government of Iran from the US
and by US persons. Since
then, the US has zeroed in on
Mahmoud Khazein, and the
defendant's communications
about international transfers
of tens or hundreds of
millions of dollars, "in
countries including Russia and
China."
She is also
charged with bank fraud and
structuring.
This came as the
EDNY pursues a FARA violation
case against Kaveh
Afrasiabi, who replies
that he was openly paid by
Iran's Mission to the UN,
through the UN Federal Credit
Union.
Inner City Press,
covering both cases, has asked
the UN to explain these
payments, but so far the UN
has refused to answer or allow
access.
A man from
Azerbaijan was arrested with
an AK-47 style assault rifle
surveilling the Brooklyn home
of an Iranian journalist,
Inner City Press exclusively reported learned
on July 29, 2022,
In
the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New
York past 5 pm that day, a
detention or release
proceeding was held by
Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave on
defendant Khalid Mehdiyev. He
was heavy-set and in a black
T-shirt, escorted in by two US
Marshals. Inner City Press was
the only media there.
Complaint on Patreon here
On January 27,
2023, Mehdiyev's paymaster was
presented, but not arraigned,
again before Judge Cave. He
was in a black t-shirt,
repeating "Da" sullenly,
detained on consent with a
taxpayer-funded lawyer. He
will next appear before Judge
Colleen McMahon on January 31
at 4 pm. Inner City Press will
stay on the cases, including
of Polad Omarov, set to be
extradited in from the Czech
Republic. Vlog here
On December 15,
2022 a guilty plea: "Minute
Entry for proceedings held
before Judge Ronnie Abrams:
Change of Plea Hearing as to
Niloufar Bahadorifar held on
12/15/2022. Defendant (1)
Niloufar Bahadorifar present.
Defendant pleads guilty to
Counts Two and Five of the
Superseding Indictment. A
sentence is scheduled for
February 7, 2023 at 10:00 a,m,
Defendant shall remain on bail
with existing terms to remain
in effect. (Sentencing set for
2/7/2023 at 10:00 AM before
Judge Ronnie Abrams) Plea
entered by Niloufar
Bahadorifar (1) Guilty as to
Count 2s,5s."
On April 7, after
filing a substantially
redacted sentencing memo
asking for a probationary
sentence, Bahodorifar was
sentenced to four years, after
Masij Alinejad spoke. Inner
City Press thread
(and Q&A after here;
Alamy photos here
Masih Alinejad: I
watch over my shoulders. The
threat impacted my husband and
step-children. We live out of
suitcases. I feel I am in
Iran, sometimes.
Masih Alinejad: I
miss my little corner of
Brooklyn. I planted trees for
my parents, then I had to
leave them. The Islamic
Republic of Iran rapes women.
It is impossible for anyone to
say they didn't know. [Stares
at defendant]. I am for the
harshest sentence.
Lichtman: My
client Ms Bahadorifar was
beaten by her husband. This is
a unique case. Why is this
courtroom not filled with
international press? [Inner
City Press is here, but no one
from UN, where Inner City
Press is banned from entering
Lichtman:
She married a fundamentalist
lunatic. She paid a private
investigator over PayPal,
listing an IRCG member on the
memo. [IRIB which
broadcasts forced confessions
is a full member of the UN
Correspondents Association,
which colludes in my ban from
UN]
Lichtman:
No one else will be sentenced
for this. [Guy with AK-47 was
arrested, as Inner City Press
first reported.]
Lichtman: Iran targeted a
Jewish center in Greece. They
tried to kill
MikPompeo and John
Bolton
Niloufar
Bahadorifar: I was unaware
[Sobs, looks back at Masih
Alinejad] Judge: Violating US
sanctions on Iran increases
the chance of war. I have to
send a strong message. I
sentence you to 48 months in
prison.
AUSA asks
for immediate remand to
prison. Judge declines, says
self surrender on July 7.
More including
analysis on Substack here
This case
is US v. Bahadorifar,
21-cr-430 (Abrams)
***
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