Alinejad, an outspoken critic of the Iranian government, has previously been the target of a kidnapping plot allegedly orchestrated by Iranian government agents. The attempt, which was foiled by the FBI, came after Alinejad wrote publicly about the Iranian regime’s efforts to silence her through a “social media campaign calling for my kidnapping.” On Thursday, police arrested Khalid Mehdiyev, a 23-year-old Yonkers resident who had been “acting suspiciously” outside an unknown residence for days, according to a complaint. After NYPD officers pulled him over for allegedly running a red light, they discovered a suitcase in his back seat containing a loaded AK-47 and 66 rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said. While court documents do not specifically name Alinejad, the Iranian journalist told The New York Times that she was told by authorities that the 23-year-old suspect was watching her home. She also told the Times that she had security footage showing the suspect outside her home. Law enforcement sources also told the Daily News that Mehdiyev targeted the journalist’s home. At some point, prosecutors said, Mehdiyev left his Subaru and tried to open the front door of the residence in question. According to the complaint, Mehdieff told prosecutors he could not afford his rent in Yonkers and was looking at the residence to see if he could rent a room. He initially denied knowing the assault rifle, before later admitting it was his, adding that he was in Brooklyn “because he was looking for someone,” prosecutors said. Mehdiyev faces a number of weapons charges, including possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, as well as failure to stop at a traffic sign. Inquiries to his attorney were not returned.
