Lima, Peru – authorities have arrested Majid Azizi, a 56-year-old Iranian citizen, on allegations of planning an assassination attempt against an Israeli individual. Azizi, alleged to be a member of Iran’s Quds Force, was apprehended alongside two Peruvian nationals. The police operation effectively prevented the attack, although the identity of the intended target remains undisclosed for safety reasons. A third Peruvian suspect is currently sought by law enforcement.
General Óscar Arriola, Peru’s police chief, disclosed that Azizi entered Peru on March 3. His presence and subsequent arrest were facilitated by intelligence shared by foreign agencies. However, independent verification of Azizi’s affiliation with the Quds Force is pending, as Iranian officials have yet to comment on the matter. This incident marks the first reported case of an alleged Quds Force member being detained in Peru.
Following the arrests, he, along with the two Peruvians, have been detained and are under investigation for “terrorism against the state.” It was revealed that Azizi planned to leave Peru for Iran on the day of his capture.
#Perú: arrestan a iraní que planeaba asesinar a un ciudadano israelí en la conferencia #APECPeru2024
Más información ingrese a la nota:https://t.co/TE6ptnS6e5 pic.twitter.com/zBMRZqtgQO— Agencia AJN (@AgenciaAJN) March 9, 2024
Further insights into Azizi’s life were gleaned from his Facebook page, revealing that he is married to a Peruvian, speaks Persian and Spanish, and has a history of travel between Iran and Peru. His social media also suggests employment with an Iranian fashion brand, “Manto,” potentially serving as a cover for his alleged activities.
The apprehension of Azizi comes as Peru is preparing to host the APEC 2024 summit. According to police statements, Azizi was tasked with establishing a terrorist cell to execute an Israeli citizen during the event. Examination of his Facebook contacts and activities indicates connections with other Iranians in Peru and highlights his international travels.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of Iranian intelligence operations engaging local criminal elements for operations abroad. The search continues for Walter Fernández Fukunoto, another individual linked to the plot and connected to Azizi through social media.
Expanded Coverage:
