Month: March 2025

The central government on Saturday withdrew 20 per cent duty on the export of onions imposed in September 2024.

The decision will come into effect on April 1, 2025. The Department of Revenue issued a notification to this effect today on the Department of Consumer Affairs’s communication.

To ensure domestic availability, the government had taken measures to check export by means of duty, minimum export price (MEP) and even to the extent of export prohibition for almost five months, from December 8, 2023 till May 3, 2024.

The export duty of 20 per cent, which now stands removed, has been in place since September 13, 2024.

Despite export restrictions, the government said that the total onion export during 2023-24 was 17.17 lakh tonne and in 2024-25 (till March 18), it was 11.65 lakh tonne.

Monthly onion export quantity had picked up from 0.72 lakh tonne in September, 2024 to 1.85 lakh tonne in January, 2025.

“The decision stands as another testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring remunerative prices to farmers while maintaining affordability of onion to the consumers at this crucial juncture when both mandi and retail prices have soften following expected arrival of rabi crops in good quantities,” Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, said in a release.

Even though, the current mandi prices are above the level during corresponding period of previous years, a decline of 39 per cent is observed in the all-India weighted average modal prices, the release said.

Similarly, all-India average retail onion prices recorded declined of 10 per cent over the past one month.

Onion arrival in benchmark markets Lasalgoan and Pimpalgaon have increased from this month.

As per the estimates of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, rabi production this year at 227 lakh metric tonnes is over 18 per cent higher than 192 lakh tonne last year.

The rabi onion, which accounted for 70-75 per cent of India’s total onion production, is crucial for overall availability and stability in prices till the arrival of kharif crop from October/November onward.

“The estimated higher production this season is expected to further ease the market prices in coming months,” the food ministry said. (ANI)

The Indian Army facilitated the return of the mortal remains of two youths who had gone missing from Uri Tehsil in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K).

The bodies of both missing youths were formally handed over by Pakistani officials to the Indian Army at the Kaman Aman Setu in the Uri sector on Saturday, the Army said.

On March 5, the Indian Army said, a young man and woman from the villages of Basgran and Kamalkote tragically “drowned” in the Jhelum River. In response, the Indian Army immediately launched an extensive search operation to recover their bodies.

“Despite sustained efforts, their remains could not be located. On March 20, the Indian Army spotted the body of the deceased male in the Jhelum River. A rescue team, including deep-sea divers, was promptly deployed to retrieve the remains. However, due to strong water currents, the body drifted beyond the Line of Control (LoC) into the Chakothi sector of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), making recovery from the Indian side impossible. In a demonstration of humanitarian cooperation, the Indian and Pakistani armies coordinated efforts to recover the body,” the Army said.

Mohammed Rafi, a relative of the drowned woman, expressed gratitude to the Army, saying, “…Fifteen days ago, the children jumped into the river. Search operations were conducted by NDRF and Navy teams, but the bodies had drifted beyond the LoC. Today, the bodies were retrieved and handed over to us…We are thankful to our Police and Army officers…”

The cousin of the drowned man also appreciated the Army’s efforts. “We were informed that on March 5, both jumped into the river…During the rescue operation, the bodies were spotted on 20th March but had drifted beyond the LoC into POJK. The Indian Army and Police held talks and retrieved the bodies back today. I thank the Indian Army and Police…” he said. (ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a closure report on the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, sources said on Saturday.

According to sources, the closure has been filed in a Mumbai Court nearly five years after Sushant Singh’s death.

Sushant, 34, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020, which created a huge controversy, with the investigation later being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. His postmortem report stated the cause of death was asphyxia. The postmortem was conducted at Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital.

Sushant began his career in the entertainment industry with TV shows like Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and went on to receive accolades for his performance in Ekta Kapoor’s Pavitra Rishta.

The actor transitioned to the big screen and was seen in movies like Kai Po Che, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Shuddh Desi Romance, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, Chhichhore, and Dil Bechara, among others. He gained significant popularity after his biggest success, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.

The actor was last seen in director Mukesh Chhabra’s Dil Bechara opposite Sanjana Sanghi, which was the official remake of the novel The Fault in Our Stars. The film was released on OTT.

Meanwhile in the case relating to the death of the former manager of Sushant Singh, Disha Salian, her father Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court seeking a probe into his daughter’s death and requesting the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray, among others.

Disha was found dead on June 8, 2020, days before Sushant was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra, Mumbai.

The Bombay High Courton has listed the writ petition and will hear the case on April 2.

Earlier, Aditya Thackeray hit back at critics who linked him to the Disha Salian death case, accusing them of trying to defame him for the past five years. Thackeray emphasized that since the matter is already in court, he’ll reserve his comments for the legal proceedings.

“A lot of people have tried to defame me for the last five years. If the matter is in court, then we will speak in court,” Thackeray told the media.

Meanwhile, a copy of the writ petition has also been served on Sameer Wankhede, NCB director at that time, by the advocate representing Satish Salian.

Faizan Merchant, Advocate for Sameer Wankhede has stated that his client is going to file a detailed affidavit in the High Court which will answer all the points concerning his client. (ANI)

Adding his charm to the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan took centre stage at the jam-packed Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. 

SRK kick-started the ceremony, sending the crowd into a frenzy. He greeted the spectators and expressed his excitement about this year’s IPL tournament.

“As today the IPL turns 18, it comes away not as a league but as a movement, a celebration of sports, a festival of passion, a battleground where heroes are made. We are in the city of joy, Kolkata,” he said, evoking a loud cheer from the audience.

The superstar also introduced a stellar lineup of performers, including Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani.

“A mega celebration for all of you by the biggest stars,” he said.

Shah Rukh looked dapper in a black jacket that he paired with a black shirt and pants, setting the tone for the exciting night ahead.

The IPL 2025 opening ceremony was loaded with entertainment, entertainment and entertainment, courtesy of Bollywood stars. Shreya Ghoshal brought magic to the ceremony with her soothing voice.

She enthralled the crowd by crooning her hit songs such as ‘Mera Dholna’ and ‘Kar Kar Har Maidan Fateh’. She also added a patriotic touch to the event by singing ‘Vande Mataram’.

Punjabi sensation Karan Aujla too wowed the crowd with his singing skills and set the “mahol pura wavy,” while Disha Patani set the stage on fire with her electrifying dance moves.

Following the opening ceremony, IPL teams Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face each other in the inaugural match of the 18th edition.

On Friday, Shah Rukh, who co-owns KKR, met with the players of his team and boosted their morale.

In a video shared by KKR’s official Instagram handle, Shah Rukh Khan was seen greeting each player individually in the dressing room. He embraced them warmly and said, “God bless you. Please be healthy, be happy. And thank you, Chandu sir, for looking after them. Welcome aboard to the new members. Thank you, Ajinkya, for joining us and being a captain. God bless you, and I hope you will find a good home here and play well with all of us. Have a good evening, a good match, and be healthy.”

Both teams enter the season with a change in leadership. Ajinkya Rahane has taken over as KKR’s captain, while Rajat Patidar leads RCB. RCB is eager to break its four-match losing streak against KKR.Spin bowling is expected to be a key factor in the game.

KKR boasts an experienced spin attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, supported by Moeen Ali and Anukul Roy.

On the other hand, RCB’s spin department is led by Krunal Pandya, with assistance from Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and young spinner Suyash Sharma, who previously played for KKR in 2023. The batting line-ups of both teams also promise an exciting contest. RCB’s explosive batting unit includes Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, and Jitesh Sharma.

Meanwhile, KKR’s batting order features Quinton de Kock, Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, and Venkatesh Iyer.

KKR Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer (vc), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mayank Markande, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia (wk), Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Moeen Ali, Chetan Sakariya, Spencer Johnson.

RCB Squad: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Swastik Chikara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Philip Salt, Manoj Bhandage, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, Abhinandan Singh. (ANI)

As many as four Patiala police officers have been suspended and transferred for allegedly assaulting Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in Punjab’s Patiala, a senior police officer said. A First Information Report (FIR) has also been filed against the four accused officers.

The official said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will investigate the case.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh told ANI, “… A fresh FIR has been filed in this matter. A case has been registered against Inspector Ronni Singh, Inspector Harjinder Dhillon, Inspector Harry Boparai and Inspector Shaminder. In addition, they have been suspended and transferred out of the state. The SIT will be headed by ADGP SPS Parmar… Punjab police have provided them (Colonel Bath and his family) with security, including two armed police personnel… The SIT will investigate, and they will make the arrests… The protest is peaceful so far…”

Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the incident involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, who was allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala.

Cheema assured that swift action would be taken against those responsible for the assault.

“We have formed an SIT. Action will be taken against those who are guilty. We have transferred all the accused whose names came to light. So, nobody will be able to influence the investigation. Action will be taken against the guilty, we won’t spare anyone,” Cheema said, emphasizing that the state government was committed to ensuring justice.

The statement came as the incident stirred concerns over police misconduct, with demands for accountability from various quarters. The formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the transfer of the accused officers were seen as steps towards a transparent and unbiased investigation.

Jaswinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath said that she would continue her fight for justice.

“This is not a political issue. This is a fight by people. I would like to tell you one thing, I will fight for Punjab and get justice for everyone. There is no need for me to make a political party or organisation, I will fight and get justice for everyone…FIR has been lodged but I do not know anything about the suspension order.” she said.

On Friday, an FIR was registered in Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala on the statement of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath as recorded on March 14 regarding an unfortunate incident of assault by police officials which occurred on the intervening night of March 13/14.

The statement of Colonel Bath named the police officials who assaulted him and also gave the roles attributed to each person in the assault.

A High-Level Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SPS Parmar, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Law & Order, Punjab, and, including Sandeep Malik, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur and Manpreet Singh, PPS, Superintendent of Police, Rural, SAS Nagar was later constituted by the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab for conducting investigations in a fair and expeditious manner.

The SIT has been directed to investigate day-to-day basis for the collection of evidence and further legal proceedings, to ensure that the culprits are proceeded against as per law.

According to the release, the Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab was directed to provide adequate protection to the family of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath. (ANI)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to study the situation under the guidance of experts and immediately implement a special remedial plan to prevent human casualties due to tiger attacks in Gadchiroli district.

The plan includes providing special compensation to the families of those who died in tiger attacks over the last five years and relocating additional tigers, among other measures. Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Gadchiroli district, has directed officials to submit a report on the matter within three months.

The Chief Minister has taken serious note of the loss of human lives due to tiger attacks. As the Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli, he has instructed authorities to take immediate cognizance of citizens’ demands and suggest a remedial plan.

He also directed that a plan be prepared under the guidance of Pravin Pardeshi, CEO of Mitra Sanstha. Consequently, Pardeshi held a meeting of senior forest officials in Nagpur, where they discussed the remedial measures and issued directives for their implementation.

Notably, more than 50 people have lost their lives in tiger attacks in Gadchiroli district over the past five years, particularly in areas of Gadchiroli, Charmoshi, Armori, Vadsa and Dhanora.

After assessing the situation in Gadchiroli, authorities have been instructed to relocate additional tigers from the district within three months.

CM Fadnavis has also directed officials to collect information on citizens who have died in tiger attacks in the last five years and provide special compensation to their families.

A meeting was held under Fadnavis’ guidance to review the situation and prepare a plan, during which various measures were discussed.

It was decided to thin out teak trees in Chaparala and Pranhita Sanctuary in Gadchiroli district and increase the availability of pasture to promote the growth of the herbivore population, ensuring sufficient prey for carnivores.

It was also decided in the meeting to appoint a ‘forest Patil,’ similar to a police patrol officer in every village. To reduce the need for locals to venture into forests for firewood, officials decided to encourage grass production in villagers’ fields for use in compressed biogas (CBG) production. A CBG plant will also be set up for this purpose.

The meeting further resolved to implement measures such as conducting e-panchnama to expedite compensation for crop damage caused by wild animals, conducting a social and economic assessment of the locals for the relocation of six villages in Chaparala Sanctuary due to rising tiger population, and identifying new sites for rehabilitation.

Experts from organizations such as the Wildlife Institute, which specializes in human-wildlife conflict mitigation, will be appointed to devise effective measures. The preparation of a mitigation plan for endangered and sensitive areas was also discussed.

It was observed that tigers involved in human-wildlife conflicts are often older. As a result, officials emphasized the need for a strategic approach to the relocation of such tigers.

The meeting was attended by the State’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Force Chief), Shomita Biswas, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vivek Khandekar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Area Director of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Dr. Ramchandra Ramgaonkar, Chief Conservator of Forests of Gadchiroli Forest Circle S. Rameshkumar and others. (ANI)

Expressing concern on violence against the Hindu and other minorities in Bangladesh, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday called to stand in solidarity with the Hindu Society of the neighbouring country.

Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) – RSS’ highest decision-making body- also called the “oppression” of minorities in Bangladesh a “serious” violation of human rights.

“The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expresses its serious concern on the unabated and planned violence, injustice and oppression faced by the Hindu and other minority communities at the hands of radical Islamist elements in Bangladesh. This is clearly a serious case of violation of human rights,” SAH Sarkaryawah, RSS, Arun Kumar said stating the ABPS resolution read.

The ABPS condemned the alleged Bangaldeshi government support for the “violence” and said that it can severely damage the relationship between India and its neighbour.

“The governmental and institutional support for the violence and hatred witnessed during last year is a serious cause of concern. Along with this, the persistent anti-Bharat rhetoric in Bangladesh can severely damage the relationship between the two countries,” the ABPS resolution read.

ABPS also alleged that some international forces’ “concerted effort” wants to “foment instability in the entire region surrounding Bharat by creating an atmosphere of distrust and confrontation pitting one country against another.”

“The ABPS calls upon thought leaders and scholars in international relations to keep vigil on such anti Bharat atmosphere, activities of Pakistan and Deep State and expose them. The ABPS wishes to underscore the fact that the entire region has a shared culture, history and social bonds because of which any upheaval at one place raises concern throughout the region. The ABPS feels that all vigilant people should make efforts towards strengthening this shared legacy of Bharat and neighbouring countries,” the resolution added.

ABPS urged the Union government to “make all possible efforts to ensure the protection, dignity and wellbeing of Hindu community in Bangladesh along with engaging Government of Bangladesh in continuous and meaningful dialogue.”

The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is being held in Karnataka’s Bengaluru from March 21-23. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth Rs 700 crore were signed on Saturday to establish the PM MITRA Park at the Lucknow-Hardoi border.

The two MoUs worth Rs 700 crore will follow the Prime Minister’s 5F vision–Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign, said CM Yogi.

In his address at the Investors Meet for the PM MITRA Park on the Lucknow-Hardoi border, CM Yogi announced the development of two leather parks named after Sant Ravidas.

He highlighted incentives worth Rs 210 crore for investors under the 2017 textile policy and Rs 8 crore under the 2022 policy. CM Yogi emphasised the state’s commitment to industrial expansion and employment generation.

“Along with textile, two new leather parks, in the name of Sant Ravidas, will be developed in Uttar Pradesh. 80 of the investors under the 2017 policy of Uttar Pradesh Handloom, Powerloom, Silk, Textile, and Garmenting are receiving an incentive of Rs 210 crore today. Under the 2022 policy, we are giving 44 such investors an incentive of Rs 8 crore. Two MOUs worth Rs 700 crore are also being signed here today for PM MITRA Park. The Prime Minister has said we will connect PM MITRA Park with 5F – Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign, which means that we can also export its products,” said CM Yogi.

Addressing the gathering at the event, CM Yogi emphasised the state’s commitment to investor-friendly policies.

“It’s not a new thing that Uttar Pradesh can be established as an excellent hub for textile… The ancient spiritual places of UP, Kashi and Ayodhya, were not only advanced in terms of culture, but they also contributed to bringing culture to a new level… In UP, there are big textile centres in various areas like Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Azamgarh, and Mubarakpur,” said CM Yogi.

Adding further, he said, “When we implemented the One District One Product policy in the state, the demand exceeded the supply… That is why the government has decided that an integrated textile park will be built in Lucknow, and ten new parks will be built as an extension in the name of the state government.”

“Incentives have been distributed to hundreds of investors who have already commenced production. Our online system ensures that all incentives are provided within the policy framework,” he said.

He further noted that UP is the first state in India to implement systematic social incentives for investors. Under the 2022 textile policy, investors in the sector have already received their incentives, reinforcing the state’s pledge to deliver on its promises.

CM Yogi also highlighted the historical significance of UP’s textile industry, drawing attention to Varanasi and Ayodhya as centres of ancient trade and craftsmanship.

“Kashi and Ayodhya are among the world’s oldest cities, and their legacy in textiles dates back thousands of years. Bhagoli and Mirzapur continue to be renowned for their silk, and the Banarasi saree remains a global favourite,” he said.

He further mentioned that Ambedkar Nagar in Ayodhya is known for its flourishing handloom and textile industry.

The establishment of the Mega Textile Park is expected to generate employment and enhance UP’s position as a leading textile manufacturing state in India.

The PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) scheme aims to establish an integrated, large-scale, and modern textile industrial infrastructure, creating a complete textile value chain from fibre to finished product and boosting India’s global textile competitiveness. (ANI)

The delegation of Supreme Court Judges on Saturday visited a relief camp in Churachandpur, Manipur.

Earlier today, a five-member Supreme Court Judges delegation led by Justice BR Gavai arrived in Imphal, Manipur.

The delegation comprising Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan and N Kotishwar arrived in Manipur.

Justice Gavai, the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), will virtually inaugurate legal services camps and medical camps across all districts of Manipur, as well as new legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts.

The judges will also undertake distribution of essential relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The legal services camps will connect IDPs with government welfare programs, ensuring access to vital benefits such as healthcare, pensions, employment schemes, and identity document reconstruction.

Earlier, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision of the six Supreme Court judges who will visit relief camps in violence-affected Manipur.

“We welcome the decision of the six judges of the Supreme Court to visit Manipur. It was in August 2023 that the Supreme Court said that there was an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery. Those were the exact words used by the Supreme Court, but in spite of that, it took the government almost 18-19 months to impose the President’s rule…Why did it take 18 months to impose the President’s rule? Why, there was no full-time Governor for six months. They removed a tribal lady, a distinguished political personality and they gave additional charge to the Governor of Assam. They brought a retired civil servant as a full-time governor. Why? Why did it take so long?” the Congress MP said.

Violence had gripped the entire State and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared on Saturday the decision by a federal jury which convicted two crime leaders who had been hired to murder Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad on behalf of the Iranian government.

According to the US Department of Justice, the Iranian government hired Polad Omarov and Rafat Amirov to kill Masih Alinejad in exchange for USD 5,00,000.

In a post on X, Rubio said that the court’s decision shows that lethal plots against Americans will be met with “swift justice and accountability.”

He also said that under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, Iranian proxies and front groups will be “investigated, disrupted and prosecuted.”

“Yesterday’s court decision shows Iran’s attempts at lethal plotting against Americans like @AlinejadMasih will be met with swift justice & accountability. Under @POTUS, Iran’s front groups and proxies trying to operate in the U.S. will be investigated, disrupted, and prosecuted”, Rubio wrote on X.

Masih Alinjead is an Iranian-American journalist and women’s rights activist. As the American Congress has described her, she has been one of the leading figures critical of Iran.

“In July 2022, law enforcement agents arrested a member of an East European criminal gang armed with an AK47 outside her house. That arrest came a year after the FBI foiled a plot by Iranian intelligence agents to kidnap Alinejad from Brooklyn and take her to Venezuela and onward to Iran,” the statement observed.

Born and raised in Iran, Alinejad started her professional career as a parliamentary journalist in Tehran, who was eventually forced to leave Iran in 2009 after the crackdown on the protests against the disputed presidential elections.

Responding to the comments made by Marco Rubio, Alinejad thanked him for supporting her and standing up against Iran’s “acts of terror on US soil.”

Slamming the Biden administration for failing to hold Iran accountable, she said, “Instead of enforcing sanctions, they handed over billions of dollars, emboldening the regime to continue its deadly operations with their proxies and even targeting @POTUS.”

“It’s time to use strength and resolve to make them pay for their actions. Thank you for your leadership, for standing up for freedom, and for supporting the Iranian people who want to see an end to the dictatorship,” she wrote in a post on X.

According to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on all five counts in the indictment against Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of Georgia, who were convicted of murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering charges, in a trial before the US District Judge Colleen McMahon.

The statement said that Amirov and Omarov are scheduled to be sentenced on September 17.

“The defendants participated in a brazen plot to kill an Iranian American dissident in New York who criticised the regime in Iran,” said Acting Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division.

Referring to the court documents, the DOJ said that Amirov and Omarov were high-ranking members of an Eastern European organised crime group who worked with other people to attempt to kill Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

DOJ noted that attempts had also been made in 2020 and 2021, wherein Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Alinejad from within the US for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence her criticism of the Iranian regime.

Amirov and Omarov were convicted on five counts, namely murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. (ANI)