Institutions, organizations, and figures reacted to reports of Iran's attempt to kidnap Masih Alinejad

A number of organizations, individuals, and institutions active in the fields of freedom of expression, human rights, and politics have reacted to and condemned reports of a conspiracy by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence to kidnap Masih Alinejad from American soil and transfer him to Iran.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a message on Wednesday, July 13, "We are concerned to hear this news."

The committee says, “The Iranian government’s alleged plan to spy on and kidnap Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad is both repugnant and indicative of the dangers journalists in exile face, including on U.S. soil.”

The Alliance Against Nuclear Iran, a group opposed to the JCPOA, wrote a statement with Sadro: "We appreciate the action of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and the US Department of Justice in taking action, arresting, and prosecuting an Iranian intelligence cell in the United States that had plotted to kidnap Masih Alinejad and return him to Iran."

The National Alliance for Democracy in Iran (NAFD) also issued a statement saying: "We are grateful that no harm was done to Masih Alinejad, and we continue to stand in solidarity with him and support his civic activities for human rights and secular democracy in Iran."

The National Council of Resistance of Iran also strongly condemned this plot to kidnap Masih Alinejad in a statement, saying: For the past four decades, in addition to torturing, executing, and mass murdering political prisoners, the "fascist religious regime of Iran" has consistently used terrorism, kidnapping, and hostage-taking as a tool against opponents.

The National Iranian American Council (NAIC), a pro-JCPOA group, also said in a message on Twitter: "Reports of Iranian officials plotting to kidnap an Iranian-American activist are disturbing, and the continued barbaric threats against critics abroad are worrisome."

Prince Reza Pahlavi's reaction

Prince Reza Pahlavi also tweeted that the Islamic Republic has been trying to kidnap, intimidate, blackmail, and assassinate opponents for 42 years. He said that fortunately, Masih Alinejad and other targets of the regime in the recent plot are alive and safe, but many opponents, activists, and journalists continue to be systematically targeted.

Reza Pahlavi considers the lifting of sanctions against Iran to be participation and complicity in the Islamic Republic's criminal campaign against activists and a stab in the back of those who fight against the totalitarian dictatorial regime.

The United States Attorney's Office in Manhattan and the US Department of Justice released statements announcing that Iranian intelligence services were planning to kidnap a journalist and human rights activist from New York City and intended to take him to Iran, and released the names of members of this network affiliated with the Iranian government who participated in the kidnapping operation.

Source: Voice of America