Pakistani national hit with terrorism charge for attempted political assassination plot Federal prosecutors say Asif Merchant committed an act of terrorism by scheming to try and assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials.

September 11, 2024   

(Courthouse News) A Pakistani man who was arrested in July for scheming to assassinate U.S. politicians on American soil faces additional accusations of committing an act of terrorism, according to new charges filed in the Eastern District of New York.

Asif Merchant, 46, was indicted on an additional charge of terrorism for trying to hire hitmen to carry out an assassination plot on U.S. government officials. Previously, Merchant was only charged for one count that accused the Pakistani national of murder-for-hire.

According to federal prosecutors, undercover law enforcement foiled the scheme before any attack could be carried out.

Prosecutors say Merchant arrived in the United States in April after spending some time in Iran. While in New York, Merchant met with purported hitmen who were undercover law enforcement officers.

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