Iranian and two Canadian nationals were indicted over an alleged plot to murder an Iranian defector and another Maryland resident on U.S. soil.
The three alleged conspirators were part of a criminal network targeting Iranian dissidents at Tehran's direction, according to the department.
Iranian and two Canadian nationals were indicted over an alleged plot to murder an Iranian defector and another Maryland resident on U.S. soil, the Justice Department announced Monday.
The three alleged conspirators were part of a criminal network targeting Iranian dissidents at Tehran's direction, according to the department. One defendant, Damion Patrick John Ryan, is a "full-patch member" of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
The plot unfolded from about December 19th to March 31st, according to an indictment filed in Minnesota federal court. Iranian resident Naji Sharifi Zindashti allegedly tasked Ryan with assembling an assassination team to go to Maryland and murder the two victims.
The targeted victims were a man and woman who had fled the US after one of them defected from Iran, according to authorities.
'Erase his head from his torso'. The three conspirators agreed on a $350, , payment for the murders plus $20, ,
The US has charged an Iranian drug trafficker with intelligence ties to Tehran
Damion Ryan is a full-patch member of the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Ryan suggested to Pearson he would need two or three other people for the job.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Zindashti ran an assassination ring on behalf of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois). However, this statement is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Secondly, the article quotes Ryan as saying he might know someone who was capable to carry out the job. This implies that Zindashti had no direct involvement in carrying out assassinations himself but rather relied on others to do so. However, this contradicts statements made by prosecutors and law enforcement officials that Zindashti ran an assassination ring on behalf of Iran's Mois. Thirdly, the article quotes Ryan as saying he would need two or three other people to carry out the job. This implies that Zindashti was not involved in carrying out assassinations himself but rather relied on others to do so. However, this contradicts statements made by prosecutors and law enforcement officials that Zindashti ran an assassination ring on behalf of Iran's Mois.
The article states that Zindashti ran an assassination ring on behalf of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois). However, this statement is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.
The article quotes Ryan as saying he might know someone who was capable to carry out the job. This implies that Zindashti had no direct involvement in carrying out assassinations himself but rather relied on others to do so.
The article states that Zindashti ran an assassination ring on behalf of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois). However, this contradicts statements made by prosecutors and law enforcement officials that Zindashti was not involved in carrying out assassinations himself but rather relied on others to do so.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the US government has charged three suspects over a separate alleged plot to kill an Iranian-American journalist in New York City and brought charges over failed plots allegedly linked to Iran. However, this does not necessarily mean that these previous cases are related or have any bearing on the current case being discussed. Secondly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and ideological bias. The author uses language that depicts Iran as an extremist state with a history of violence against perceived critics. This is evident in the statement 'Zindashti's network has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression including assassinations and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions in an attempt to silence the Iranian regime'. The author also uses language that depicts Hells Angels as a criminal organization with ties to terrorism. This is evident in the statement 'The German police blamed a series of attacks on synagogues in late 2022 on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which they said had organised the attacks through a German-Iranian biker gang boss, Ramin Yektaparast'. The author also uses language that depicts Canada as being complicit in terrorism. This is evident in the statement 'Ryan and Pearson are currently imprisoned in Canada on unrelated charges.'
Ryan and Pearson are currently imprisoned in Canada on unrelated charges.
The German police blamed a series of attacks on synagogues in late 2022 on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which they said had organised the attacks through a German-Iranian biker gang boss, Ramin Yektaparast.
Zindashti's network has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression including assassinations and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions in an attempt to silence the Iranian regime.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Julian Borger has a conflict of interest on the topics of Iran and Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois) due to his reporting on an assassination plot involving an Iranian national. He also has a financial tie with Hells Angels Motorcycle Club through Damion Ryan who is charged in the assassination plot.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topics of Iran and Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois) as they are directly related to an assassination plot that was allegedly planned by these entities. The article also mentions Hells Angels Motorcycle Club which is not disclosed in relation to any conflicts.
The two men are also accused of traveling to Iran on a $20,000 expense.
The US government alleges that the two Canadians were paid $350,000 for their role in the assassination plot.
The US government has charged two Canadians, Damion Ryan and Adam Pearson, with conspiring to carry out an assassination plot against a senior Iranian official. The alleged target was Naji Sharifi Zindashti, the head of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (Mois).
Iranian and two Canadian nationals were indicted over an alleged plot to murder an Iranian defector and another Maryland resident on U.S. soil.
Naji Sharifi Zindashti allegedly tasked Ryan with assembling an assassination team to go to Maryland to murder the two victims.
Damion Patrick John Ryan is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Accuracy
The plot was ultimately disrupted by law enforcement officials.
Naji Sharifi Zindashti is believed to still be living in Iran and has been described as a narcotics trafficker who operates at the behest of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, orchestrating assassinations, kidnappings, and other acts of transnational repression against perceived critics of the Iranian regime.
The Treasury Department on Monday announced sanctions against Zindashti and multiple associates that will bar them from engaging in business transactions in the U.S. or with a U.S person.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Ryan was a full-patch member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club but fails to mention that he had already been expelled from the club prior to this alleged plot. Secondly, while it is stated that Zindashti tasked Ryan with assembling an assassination team, there is no evidence presented in the indictment or article to suggest that Ryan was actually involved in any such plot. Thirdly, the author uses sensationalist language by describing the alleged plot as a 'murder-for-hire' and stating that it was linked to Iranian government despite no concrete proof being provided.
There is no evidence presented in the indictment or article to suggest that Ryan was actually involved in any such plot.
The author uses sensationalist language by describing the alleged plot as a 'murder-for-hire' and stating that it was linked to Iranian government despite no concrete proof being provided.
The author claims that Damion Patrick John Ryan was a full patch member of Hells Angels Motorcycle Club but fails to mention he had already been expelled from the club prior to this alleged plot.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the three conspirators were part of a criminal network targeting Iranian dissidents at Tehran's direction without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Secondly, there is inflammatory rhetoric used in describing one of the defendants as a 'full-patch member' of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club which could be seen as an attempt to discredit him based on his association with a criminal organization rather than evaluating his actions solely on their merit. Thirdly, there is an example of dichotomous depiction in describing one of the victims as having fled to the US after one of them defected from Iran which could be seen as implying that they were both equally responsible for fleeing and not providing any context or nuance to their actions.
The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the three conspirators were part of a criminal network targeting Iranian dissidents at Tehran's direction without providing any evidence or citation for this claim.
There is inflammatory rhetoric used in describing one of the defendants as a 'full-patch member' of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club which could be seen as an attempt to discredit him based on his association with a criminal organization rather than evaluating his actions solely on their merit.
There is an example of dichotomous depiction in describing one of the victims as having fled to the US after one of them defected from Iran which could be seen as implying that they were both equally responsible for fleeing and not providing any context or nuance to their actions.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims by referring to them as 'Iranian defector' and 'another Maryland resident'. This is an example of religious bias because it implies that these individuals are not worthy of basic human rights due to their nationality or beliefs. Additionally, the article mentions a payment for the murders which suggests monetary bias.
$350,000 payment for the murders
another Maryland resident
Iranian defector
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article reports on a plot by Iran to assassinate an Iranian defector who is currently in the US. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club member Damion Patrick John Ryan was part of this criminal network and solicited another Canadian national Adam Richard Pearson for help with the plan.
Adam Richard Pearson, an illegal resident in Minnesota
Damion Patrick John Ryan, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club
Iranian man named Naji Sharifi Zindashti has been charged with plotting to kill two people
Zindashti conspired with two Canadian men between December 2020 and March 2021 to kill the intended victims, who were not identified in an indictment but prosecutors described them as having fled to the United States together after one of them had defected from Iran.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said that this is not the first criminal case directed at Iranian efforts to perceived political opponents of the regime and warned those involved in such activities will face justice wherever they are.
Accuracy
The plot was ultimately disrupted by law enforcement officials.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'murder-for-hire plot on US soil' and 'transnational repression', which creates a false sense of urgency and danger. Secondly, the author quotes sources without disclosing them or providing any context for their credibility. This makes it difficult to determine whether the information presented is accurate or not. Thirdly, the article presents only one side of the story - that of US officials who are accusing Iranian operatives of plotting against dissidents and defectors on US soil. There is no counter-perspective provided, which could have helped readers understand why these individuals were targeted in the first place.
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'murder-for-hire plot on US soil' to create a false sense of urgency and danger. This is an example of deceptive reporting that misrepresents the facts.
The author quotes sources without disclosing them or providing any context for their credibility. This is an example of selective reporting that only presents information from one source, making it difficult to determine whether the information presented is accurate or not.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Justice Department and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen as sources for information about Iranian efforts to murder U.S. residents on U.S soil.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and ideological bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the Iranian regime and portrays them as a threat to US security. Additionally, there is an example of monetary bias in the form of sanctions being imposed on individuals associated with this case.
The article describes Naji Sharifi Zindashti as a narcotics trafficker who operates at the behest of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. This implies that he is working for an authoritarian government, which could be seen as biased towards religious or ideological beliefs.
The article mentions that the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Zindashti and multiple associates. The use of economic pressure to punish individuals can be seen as a form of monetary bias.
Naji Sharifi Zindashti is accused of being the kingpin of a network that targets dissidents and has also been accused of drug trafficking and assassination in Iran
Damion Ryan is a full-patch member of the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club living illegally in Minnesota
Accuracy
The plot was ultimately disrupted by law enforcement officials.
Zindashti is believed to still be living in Iran and has been described as a narcotics trafficker who operates at the behest of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, orchestrating assassinations, kidnappings, and other acts of transnational repression against perceived critics of the Iranian regime.
The Treasury Department on Monday announced sanctions against Zindashti and multiple associates that will bar them from engaging in business transactions in the U.S. or with a U.S person.
Deception
(50%)
The article contains several examples of deception. Firstly, the author claims that Naji Sharifi Zindashti is a drug trafficker and assassin in Iran without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author quotes an intercepted communication where Damion Ryan signaled his intention to shoot one of his targets in the head to send a message on behalf of his Iranian handler. However, it is not clear why these hits were never carried out or if they ever happened at all. Lastly, the article mentions that Mr. Zindashti connected with Damion Ryan and Adam R. Pearson through an encrypted messaging app to recruit killers but does not provide any details about how this connection was made.
The author claims that Naji Sharifi Zindashti is a drug trafficker and assassin in Iran without providing any evidence to support this claim.
Damion Ryan signaled his intention to shoot one of his targets in the head to send a message on behalf of his Iranian handler, but it is not clear why these hits were never carried out or if they ever happened at all.
The article mentions that Mr. Zindashti connected with Damion Ryan and Adam R. Pearson through an encrypted messaging app to recruit killers but does not provide any details about how this connection was made.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Naji Sharifi Zindashti is accused of being a drug trafficker and assassin in Iran without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author quotes Damion Ryan as saying he was living illegally in Minnesota, which could be seen as inflammatory rhetoric. The article also contains an example of a dichotomous depiction by stating that Mr. Pearson signaled his intention to shoot one of his targets in the head to send a message on behalf of his Iranian handler without providing any context or evidence for this claim.
The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Naji Sharifi Zindashti is accused of being a drug trafficker and assassin in Iran without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
The article contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric by quoting Damion Ryan as saying he was living illegally in Minnesota.
The author uses dichotomous depiction by stating that Mr. Pearson signaled his intention to shoot one of his targets in the head to send a message on behalf of his Iranian handler without providing any context or evidence for this claim.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Glenn Thrush has a conflict of interest on the topic of Iranian refugees as he is reporting on an incident where two Canadians are charged with plotting to kill them. Additionally, there is no disclosure in the article about any financial ties or personal relationships that may compromise his ability to act objectively and impartially.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Glenn Thrush has a conflict of interest on the topics of Naji Sharifi Zindashti and Iranian refugees as he is reporting on an alleged plot to kill them. He also has a financial tie with Damion Ryan who was involved in the plot.
