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Man arrested near Iranian dissident's home faces gun charges

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The Associated Press

Associated Press

In this undated photo provided by Masih Alinejad, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, Alinejad, an Iranian opposition activist and writer in exile in New York City, poses for a picture. Authorities have charged a man with lurking near Alinejad's home with an assault rifle, a year after she was identified as the target of an alleged kidnapping plot. (Courtesy of Masih Alinejad via AP)
Monday, August 1, 2022, Alinejad, undated photo courtesy of Masih Alinejad in New York City. An Iranian opposition activist and writer in exile poses for a photograph. Authorities have charged a man with an assault rifle lurking near Alinejad's home, a year after he was identified as the target of a kidnapping plot. (Courtesy of Massey Alinejad via AP) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) — Arrested in New York City last month A man, an Iranian opposition activist, has been charged with weapons near the home of a writer.

The indictment charges against Khalid Mehdiyev, his AK-47-style assault rifle made in China and one of his guns whose serial number has been expunged. I am indicted on a case.

Police arrested Mehdiyev last month after he was seen lurking near Masih Alinejad's Brooklyn home, peering through windows and trying to open the front door.

Mehdiyev initially claimed he was looking for a room to rent in the neighborhood, but he later admitted he was in the area "looking for someone," according to the criminal complaint.

He has been held without bail since his July 29th arrest. A message was left for his lawyer on Thursday night.

Alinejad became a US citizen in 2019 after years of working as a journalist in Iran. She fled the country after being contested in the 2009 presidential election and became a prominent figure on Persian-language satellite channels abroad criticizing Iran.

Last year Iranian intelligence officers were charged with kidnapping Alinejad and attempting to bring him back to Iran. Iranian officials have denied the charges.

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