Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Brooklyn Man Sentenced in Iran-Backed Murder Plot
A man from Brooklyn named Carlisle Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
He was part of a plan to harm Masih Alinejad, an Iranian woman who speaks out against her country's government.
The U.S. says Iran's government was behind this plan.
Alinejad, who lives in the U.S., has been critical of Iran's laws about women wearing head coverings.
Rivera admitted his guilt and was punished for his role in the plot.
Iran says the accusations are not true.
Carlisle Rivera sentenced to 15 years for murder-for-hire plot against Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad.
U.S. prosecutors allege Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps backed the plot.
Alinejad is a critic of Iran's head-covering laws and lives in Brooklyn.
Rivera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and stalking.
Iran has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
- Who
- Carlisle Rivera (defendant), Masih Alinejad (victim)
- What
- Failed murder-for-hire plot
- When
- Sentencing on January 28, 2024
- Where
- Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Why
- Alleged Iran-backed plot to target Iranian dissident
- Defendant
- Carlisle Rivera (aka 'Pop')
- Victim
- Masih Alinejad (Iranian dissident)
- Sentence
- 15 years in prison
- Charges
- Conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit stalking
- Location
- Brooklyn, New York
- Alleged Backers
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps
- Iran's Response
- Dismissed allegations as baseless