The person at the center of this case
Two residents of Maryland (Iranian refugees)
Cold Case · Open
2 years waiting · since 2023
NAJI SHARIFI ZINDASHTI
Justice for Two residents of Maryland (Iranian refugees) — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Naji Sharifi Zindashti currently located and what is his operational structure within Iran?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Who were the hired operatives in North America and what communications can be traced between them and Zindashti's network?
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evidence
Lead #3What encrypted messaging applications and communications can be recovered to establish the conspiracy timeline and participants?
Naji Sharifi Zindashti is wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting two Iranian refugees in Maryland between December 2020 and March 2021. Operating from Iran, Zindashti's criminal network used encrypted messaging to coordinate with hired operatives in North America to carry out the killings. The case remains open as authorities seek to locate and apprehend Zindashti, who is believed to have ties to Iran, Turkey, and the Kurdistan Region.
Case
#780
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - United States District Court, District of Minnesota
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👤
person
Lead #4What are the identities and current status of the two Maryland residents targeted for murder-for-hire?
📍
location
Lead #5What specific locations in Iran, Turkey, Kurdistan, or the Greater Kurdistan Region does Zindashti frequent or operate from?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy To Use Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire Caution: Naji Sharifi Zindashti is wanted for his alleged involvement in criminal activities including the attempted murder for hire of two residents of the state of Maryland. From at least December of 2020, and continuing until in or around March of 2021, Zindashti’s Iran-based criminal network associates allegedly used encrypted, Internet-based messaging applications to hire criminal elements within North America to murder two individuals who fled Iran.
Zindashti’s criminal network also allegedly provided resources to facilitate the attempted transnational killing of a person within the United States. On December 13, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Zindashti in the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, after he was charged with Conspiracy To Use Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire.
Remarks: Zindashti has ties to or may visit Iran, Turkey, Kurdistan or the Greater Kurdistan Region.
Timeline of Events
📞
2020-12-01
Criminal conspiracy begins
Zindashti's Iran-based criminal network begins using encrypted, Internet-based messaging applications to coordinate murder-for-hire activities
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2021-03-31
Conspiracy period ends
The alleged conspiracy to hire criminal elements in North America to murder two Iranian refugees concludes
🕵️
2023-12-13
Federal arrest warrant issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Naji Sharifi Zindashti in the United States District Court, District of Minnesota for Conspiracy To Use Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 1, 2020
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:December 1, 2020
Last Updated:September 9, 2026