Iran Critic in B.C. Warned of Poison Plot Before His Killing
In a chilling development, it has emerged that Masood Masjoody, the 45-year-old Iranian critic killed in British Columbia, told people in his circle months before his death that the murder suspects had wanted to poison him.
Two people are now charged with first-degree murder: Maple Ridge resident Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, and North Vancouver resident Arezou Soltani, 45.
A Pattern of Threat Against Iranian Dissidents in Canada
The case fits a disturbing and well-documented pattern: Iranian dissidents, activists, and critics living in Western countries face ongoing threats that sometimes escalate to violence. Intelligence services in Canada, the United States, and Europe have repeatedly warned about Iranian state-linked operations targeting diaspora opposition figures.
Canada's Iranian community includes many people who fled the Islamic Republic precisely because of the risks they faced. The killing of Masjoody is a stark reminder that distance doesn't guarantee safety.
The Warnings That Weren't Acted On
Perhaps most troubling is the detail that Masjoody apparently spoke about the threat before his death. Whether he reported these fears to Canadian authorities, and what response, if any, he received, will likely become part of any inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Canada's Response to Transnational Repression
Canada has been increasingly vocal about foreign interference in Canadian politics and society. The Masjoody case adds to the body of evidence that foreign state actors are willing to conduct lethal operations on Canadian soil, and that Canada must take this threat more seriously at a structural level.
Source: CBC News
