By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Jan 27 vlog
SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 9 - A man from Azerbaijan was arrested with an AK-47 style assault rifle surveilling the Brooklyn home of an Iranian journalist, Inner City Press exclusively reported learned on July 29, 2022,
In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York past 5 pm that day, a detention or release proceeding was held by Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave on defendant Khalid Mehdiyev. He was heavy-set and in a black T-shirt, escorted in by two US Marshals. Inner City Press was the only media there.
On January 27, 2023, Mehdiyev's paymaster was presented, but not arraigned, again before Judge Cave. He was in a black t-shirt, repeating "Da" sullenly, detained on consent with a taxpayer-funded lawyer. He will next appear before Judge Colleen McMahon on January 31 at 4 pm. Inner City Press will stay on the cases, including of Polad Omarov, set to be extradited in from the Czech Republic. Vlog here
On February 1, both Amirov and Mehdiyev were on court before District Judge Colleen McMahon. The prosecutor cited two terabytes of discovery, and possible CIPA motion practice.
On November 27, 2023, the case was pushed into 2024: "as to Khalid Mehdiyev, Rafat Amirov, Polad Omarov, Zialat Mamedov, Matter is adj to Jan 9, 2024 at 2 pm - time is excluded through Jan. 9, in the interest of justice, to facilitate the review of discovery, clearance process, and plea discussions."
On January 24, Inner City Press went to a proceeding in the case, with Rafat Amirov only. Two defendants are in Czechia and Georgia; Medhiyev was not there. Thread:
Judge: Why is this 2022 case moving so slowly? Asst US Attorney: Co-defendant Polad Omarov is in the Czech Republic and he's not going to be extradited any time soon. Zialat Mamedov is in Georgia, the country. Amirov is here, but CP on his phone...
Amirov's lawyer: I applied for National Security clearance 8 months ago... My client needs an Azerbaijani interpreter. I speak with him in Spanish...
Amirov's lawyer: We need another 60 days to negotiate about a resolution, and / or to make motions. My client has 2 pinched nerves in his neck Judge: OK, next is April 9, 4 pm. It's just a control date
On February 21, SDNY prosecutors announced the extradition of POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a “Araz Aliyev,” a/k/a “Polad Qaqa,” a/k/a “Haci Qaqa,” from the Czech Republic on murder-for-hire and money laundering charges contained in a Superseding Indictment. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. OMAROV was arrested in the Czech Republic on January 4, 2023, at the request of the United States, arrived in the Southern District of New York on February 21, 2024
On April 9, 2024, the trial date was date - for 2025: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Colleen McMahon: Status Conference as to Rafat Amirov, Polad Omarov held on 4/9/2024. Defendant Amirov (using an Azerbaijani interpreter) present with his attorney Michael Martin; Defendant Omarov (using a Russian interpreter) present with his attorney Xavier Robert Donaldson; AUSA Jacob H. Gutwillig & Michael Lockard. This trial of this matter will begin March 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m."
The case is US v. Medhiyev, et al., 22-cr-438 (McMahon)
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