Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian national charged by the FBI for plotting the assassination of president-elect Donald Trump was reportedly assigned by Iranian authorities to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, according to the US Department of Justice.
The accused, 51-year-old Shakeri, identified as a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), remains a fugitive believed to be in Tehran, Iran. Earlier on Friday, he was charged in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Trump.
The Department of Justice said, “He was also tasked with targeting Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.” Court documents reveal that the IRGC instructed Shakeri to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka and organise a mass shooting incident in October 2024, new agency PTI reported.
Also read: Who is Farhad Shakeri, mastermind behind Iran’s plot to kill Trump
Earlier on October 23, American and Israeli authorities issued public warnings about potential attacks targeting tourist spots in the Arugam Bay region. The following day, Sri Lankan officials announced the arrest of three suspects connected to the threat.
Following the travel advisories from American and Israeli governments and CC-2’s detention by Sri Lankan officials on October 28, Shaker disclosed to the FBI his previous directive to CC-2 for conducting surveillance of the Israeli consulate in Sri Lanka, as stated by the Department of Justice.
During his communication with the FBI, Shaker revealed his prison connection with CC-2. He acknowledged sharing the surveillance information with IRGC Official-I, who subsequently requested him to locate an additional target.
Also read: Iran denies involvement in Trump assassination plot
Later, Shaker directed CC-2 to observe Arugam Bay, a tourist spot popular amongst Israeli visitors.
According to federal prosecutors, IRGC Official-I instructed Shaker to coordinate a mass shooting at this location in Arugam Bay, with CC-2 being responsible for providing AK-47s and additional weaponry for the planned assault.