The FBI is interested in learning why a man was in close proximity to the New York City residence of a well-known Iranian novelist
and journalist while reportedly in possession of a military-style weapon that was illegally loaded with 30 rounds.
According to two law enforcement sources, the organization is looking into whether the suspect, who is being held on federal charges for having
a firearm without a visible serial number, was involved in a plot to kill or neutralise Masih Alinejad. The Voice of America Persian Service host was
the target of an attempted Iranian espionage plan last year, according to the FBI.At the time, Alinejad claimed that she thought the authorities tried to silence her on social media.
She claimed in a video message made available by VOA that Iran's Islamist leaders "wanted to make sure that I physically didn't exist anymore,
The 2021 accusation has been rejected by Iran as "baseless."The journalist uploaded a security video from Sunday afternoon that shows a big man attempting to open a door on her porch.
According to Alinejad, this is the guy who was detained and charged with the firearms violation; he allegedly came to her Brooklyn house with the intent to murder her.
According to the affidavit, police initially pulled him over for allegedly speeding past a stop sign without fully stopping. He was held without posting a bond.
According to Alinejad's claims that the man had been on her porch and "attempted to open the front door," FBI Special Agent Derek Kasse
noted in the affidavit that the individual had been under surveillance by FBI agents since at least the day before.