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Iranian Agent Spies on Dissident Group
In a shocking case of espionage, Iranian citizens Ahmadreza Mohammadi-Doostdar and Majid Ghorbani have pleaded guilty to charges of spying on American citizens and U.S. nationals who are members of the Iranian dissident group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK).
According to court documents, Doostdar, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, and Ghorbani, an Iranian citizen and resident of California, were part of a conspiracy to conduct surveillance on and collect identifying information about MEK members.
Doostdar pleaded guilty to one count of acting as an agent of the Government of Iran without notifying the Attorney General, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 951, and one count of conspiring to violate that statute, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
Ghorbani pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. § 1705, and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560.
As part of his plea, Doostdar admitted under oath that he traveled to the United States from Iran on three occasions to meet with Ghorbani and convey directions for Ghorbani’s activities on behalf of the Government of Iran. During these trips, Doostdar collected photographs and handwritten notes from Ghorbani, who had attended MEK rallies and gathered information on participants critical of the Iranian regime.
Doostdar also admitted that he paid Ghorbani $2,000 for his work, which was provided by Doostdar’s Government of Iran handler.
The case highlights the efforts of law enforcement to pursue those who threaten national security and disrupt foreign governments that target U.S. persons.
“The Iranian government thought it could get away with conducting surveillance on individuals in the United States by sending one of its agents here to task a permanent resident with conducting and collecting that surveillance,” said Jessie K. Liu, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
“This alleged activity demonstrates a continued interest in targeting the United States, as well as potential opposition groups located in the United States,” said Executive Assistant Director Jay Tabb. “The FBI will continue to identify and disrupt those individuals who seek to engage in unlawful activity, on behalf of Iran, on US soil.”
The case is a reminder of the ongoing threat of espionage and the importance of vigilance in protecting national security.
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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