An Iranian opposition party based in Iraqi Kurdistan announced on Wednesday that it has foiled an attempt to assassinate one of its leaders.
“A 26-year-old Iranian intelligence agent called M. A. Mokhtari, was arrested on Tuesday after infiltrating into the Kurdistan Region last month to carry out an assassination attempt,” Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) official R. Sh., who only wanted to be identified with his initials, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He said his party received information from Iran that the Iranian intelligence apparatus had recruited a member and sent him to the Kurdistan Region on a terrorist mission.
“Mokhtari confessed that he was ordered by the intelligence apparatus operating in the city of Karaj to infiltrate PAK’s ranks and assassinate one of its commanders,” a source said.
He added that Mokhtari was told that after executing the mission, he would escape towards areas controlled by the Popular Mobilization Forces and to south of Erbil.
On Wednesday, Asharq Al-Awsat met Mokhtari, who appeared confused and tears rolling down his face.
The agent said he received orders from an Iranian intelligence officer named Ahmedi.
Mokhtari admitted that he was ordered to head towards the Kurdistan Region and assassinate a PAK leader in return for $750.
Concerning the fate of Mokhtari, R. Sh said: “The decision is now in the hands of the party leadership. However, in principle, we are ready to swap him for any Kurdish captive held in Iranian regime prisons.”
