Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump takes the stage following early results of the 2024 US presidential election at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida, US. Photo courtesy: Reuters
An Iranian national charged by the FBI with plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump was tasked by the Iranians to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, the Justice Department has alleged.
Farhad Shakeri, 51, of Iran, was charged in a criminal complaint on Friday (November 8, 2024) in connection with his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Mr Trump. Shakeri is an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asset who remains at large and is believed to be in Tehran, Iran.
“He was also tasked with targeting Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka,” the Justice Department said. According to documents filed in a federal court, Shakeri was asked by the IRGC to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka and plan a mass shooting event in October. 2024.
On or about October 23, 2024, the governments of the United States and Israel publicly warned travelers about the dangers of an attack targeting tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area, and, on or about the next day, Sri Lankan authorities reported arresting three persons in connection with the threat.
On October 28, following public travel warnings issued by the governments of the United States and Israel and CC-2’s arrest by Sri Lankan authorities—Shaker advised the FBI that he had previously placed CC-2 under surveillance at the Israeli Consulate in Sri Lanka. Was assigned the task to do. , the Justice Department said.
Shekar said he and CC-2 had spent time in prison together. Shaker informed the FBI that he had provided this surveillance to IRGC Officer-I. According to Shaker, after providing surveillance on the Israeli Consulate, IRGC officials asked him to identify another target.
Shekar then directed CC-2 to survey a tourist spot in Arugam Bay, frequented by Israeli tourists. IRGC Officer-I directed Shaker to conduct large-scale firing at the Arugam Bay location. Federal prosecutors said they planned that CC-2 would supply AK-47s and other weapons for the attack.
published – November 10, 2024 10:32 am IST
