Following the arrest of two foreign nationals attempting to murder a U.S. journalist on behalf of the Iranian government, a group of bipartisan senators introduced a bill on Tuesday to increase penalties for crimes committed in the U.S. on behalf of foreign countries.
Senators Elissa Slotkin, Jim Banks, Joni Ernst, and Maggie Hassan introduced the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors (DETERRENCE) Act.
The bill enhances penalties for murder-for-hire operations, attempted murder or assassination of federal officials, as well as individuals involved in trying to kill former officials over their actions while in office.
Stalking and attempted kidnapping in connection with foreign governments would also result in more severe charges. Many sentence enhancements include an additional 10 years in prison.
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An Iranian demonstrator holds an anti-American sign. (Getty Images)
“Individuals who commit crimes in America on behalf of foreign adversaries must face serious consequences,” Slotkin stated.
“The bipartisan DETERRENCE Act aims to strengthen penalties for such crimes and sends a clear message about the importance of our national security and the accountability for those who commit crimes against our nation.”Â
In March, two foreign nationals appeared in a New York federal court and pleaded not guilty to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against Masih Alinejad – an Iranian-born U.S. journalist.
Rafat Amirov from Iran and Polad Omarov from the Czech Republic and Slovenia, who were affiliated with the Russian mob, were reportedly hired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate the New York City resident according to prosecutors.
“Finally, I will face the men hired by the Islamic Republic to kill me, right here in New York,” Alinejad stated at the time.
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Sen. Elissa Slotkin. (Reuters)
“I’m deeply grateful to my new country, the United States of America, for trying to keep me safe from the government of my birth country, Iran.”
Ernst emphasized that the U.S. must not tolerate foreign adversaries like Iran funding crimes against Americans on American soil.
She described the DETERRENCE Act as a Reagan-esque demonstration of “peace through strength” that puts foreign criminals “on notice” and serves as a direct warning to those attempting to act on Tehran’s motto of “Death to America.”
Meanwhile, Hassan stated in a release that Congress should pass the legislation to send a clear message to foreign adversaries that there will be serious consequences if their criminal activities cross the U.S. border.
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“Foreign adversaries are collaborating with gangs and criminals in the U.S. to attempt to kill individuals on our soil, which poses a national security risk,” she cautioned.Â
Another reported foreign murder-for-hire plot surfaced last autumn when a former Indian intelligence officer allegedly conspired to kill a U.S. citizen in New York, who was a leader of a pro-Sikh independence movement.
Vikash Yadav’s indictment in October reportedly linked him to the Indian government, as per NPR.
