UK Sanctions Azerbaijani Crime Boss's Brother for Alleged Iran-Backed Plots

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Namiq Salifov, the brother of the late Azerbaijani crime boss Nadir Salifov, accusing him of plotting attacks on behalf of the Iranian government. Announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the measures target individuals threatening UK security and Middle East stability. The Foreign Office updated its sanctions list with Salifov’s personal details, allowing OCCRP reporters to confirm his identity. While British officials did not provide specific evidence, U.S. authorities have previously linked Salifov to a Russian mob faction involved in a failed murder-for-hire plot against Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. Two of Salifov’s associates were recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for this scheme, which was allegedly funded by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The sanctions also target the Zindashti criminal network and members of the Zarringhalam family, reflecting growing Western concern over Tehran’s use of criminal proxies to target dissidents abroad. This action follows recent attacks on Jewish communities and regime opponents in the UK, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.