Exiled prince calls on Iranians to put aside 'false hopes', boycott election

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has alleged that these individuals held senior positions in Iran’s government and has requested the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to conduct hearings on these cases, as reported by Global News.

This move is seen as the Canadian government's response to ongoing appeals from the Iranian diaspora to bar regime-affiliated officials from entering the country, particularly in light of the Iranian authorities' brutal crackdown on the nationwide Woman, Life, Freedom protests in 2022.

While the Trudeau government adopted sanctions in November 2022, barring individuals linked to the Iranian state from entering Canada, the first deportation order was initiated in February 2024.

The unprecedented protests in Iran were sparked by the death of Mahsa Jina Amini while in custody of the so-called morality police. Iranian security forces crackdown, resulting in the deaths of at least 550 protesters, was condemned as a crime against humanity by a UN fact-finding mission.

The policy previously resulted in deportation orders for Majid Iranmanesh, a science advisor, and Seyed Salman Samani, a former deputy interior minister, according to Global News.

In a departure from previous cases, the hearings for the five latest deportation proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors, with the government withholding their names.

The deportation hearings are typically public unless the individual has filed a refugee claim, as reported by Global News, citing CBSA.

In March 2024, CBC Radio exclusively reported that the Aban Families For Justice, representing victims of the 2019 Iranian protests, were appealing to Canada's Justice Minister Arif Virani to halt the deportation of Salman Samani.

They allege that Samani, a former Iranian deputy interior minister, was complicit in the brutal crackdown that led to the deaths of 1,500 protesters in 2019.

One of the group's founders, Soran Mansournia, told CBC Radio that he hopes Canada would hold Samani accountable for human rights abuses, using "universal jurisdiction."

Despite their letter, Samani's deportation has reportedly not been halted and the group did not receive a response from the Canadian government.

In 2012, Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran and closed its embassy in Tehran, citing multiple concerns. These included Iran's support for the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war, non-compliance with UN resolutions on its nuclear activities, persistent threats against Israel, and the safety of Canadian diplomats following attacks on the British embassy in Iran.

Further straining bilateral relations, Canada recently escalated its stance by designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision, announced on June 19, was strongly supported by the families of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, which the IRGC downed in January 2020.

The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist entity, as articulated by a Public Safety spokesperson to Iran International’s Negar Mojtahedi, targets individuals who have actively engaged in or significantly contributed to terrorism and acts of violence. This classification enables Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to deny visas, entry, or continued residence to these individuals in Canada.

A short clip released by Iran's state-run media showed Biazar getting off a plane in Tehran and being greeted by an Iranian official.

Biazar was an "agent of influence, an agitator who promotes the views of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, more worryingly, harasses opponents of the regime," a French Interior Ministry representative told a hearing in Paris Wednesday.

It is unclear if he has been deported or has willingly returned to Iran on a different arrangement after the end of his "administrative detention."

The decision to release Biazar has sparked criticism from activists who say the French government could have exchanged him with French prisoners held "hostage" in Iran.

Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Louis Arnaud are among the unknown number of foreign and dual nationals held by Iran, but it is not clear if Biazar's released is linked to any swap deal between Tehran and European countries.

Biazar and his family had lived in France since 2022. Last week, Iran International reported that he had been detained and was about to be deported for his IRGC connections. But Iran's state news agency dismissed such reports, saying Biazar was a "musician."

Iran International has seen official documents from France's Interior Ministry in which Biazar is described as a "former director of Iran's state broadcaster". He is also said to be connected with Unit 840 of the Quds Force, whose mission is to conduct covert operations outside Iran, including the attack and intimidation of dissidents.

Iranian activists in France attempted to keep Biazar in France so that he could be tried for alleged role in broadcasting forced confessions of dissidents on Iran's state TV.

Despite evidence that many Iranians are deeply disenchanted with the Islamic government, Khamenei dismissed the idea that those abstaining are against the governing regime.

"Some people may dislike certain officials or even the Islamic system itself, just as they freely express these views, but the idea that everyone who did not vote is aligned with these individuals and this mindset is completely wrong," he said in a meeting with officials.

Official figures released by Iran's Interior Ministry put the turnout in the first round of election at 39.92 percent, the lowest recorded since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

"Maybe they didn't participate in the elections because they had problems, were busy with work, were not in the mood, or simply didn't have the time," Khamenei said, expressing hope that the second round would see more enthusiastic participation.

Since the record low turnout in the March parliamentary elections, Khamenei has consistently attributed non-participation to "laziness," downplaying any deeper societal or political reasons.

Khamenei's rhetoric aims to frame voter apathy as a simple lack of effort rather than a response to underlying discontent or dissatisfaction with the government. A five-year-long economic crisis as well as ever-harsher government suppression of dissent have led to deep dissatisfaction among voters.

While casting his own ballot on Friday, Khamenei emphasized action over inaction. He urged, "Don't be lazy, don't neglect, don't underestimate; participate in all corners of the country."

In a speech leading up to the election last week, Khamenei highlighted the significance of voting, stating, "For us Iranians, voting day is a happy day. The 'Republic' in the Islamic Republic means that the presence of people in the system is integral."

He further questioned reluctance, asserting, "Why would there be doubt? It’s an easy thing to do. Why would anyone not do something that is free, easy, and not time-consuming but has many benefits? Participation is essential for the continuation of the establishment."

Nevertheless, Khamenei has not entirely abandoned hope that the populace will heed his call, even though the nation at large is aware of the sham nature of the polls, when only handpicked candidates were allowed to run amid government control of the media and hundreds of dissidents in prisons.

In a short statement published on his website, Khamenei said of the upcoming Friday voting: "The second round of the presidential election is crucial. Those who love Islam, the Islamic Republic, and the country's progress should demonstrate this by participating in the election."

His comments come amidst Iran's ongoing repression of dissenters. Since its establishment in 1979, the Islamic Republic has consistently violated human rights, often imprisoning and executing those expressing contrary views.

The government employs harsh measures such as arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trials to silence activists, journalists, and political opponents. International human rights organizations frequently condemn Iran’s crackdown on freedom of speech, assembly, and belief, highlighting Iran's oppressive control over its citizens.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy of International Affairs of the Judiciary, announced on Wednesday that "criminal cases will be filed and pursued against any Iranian or non-Iranian person abroad who, through "insult and threat or creating fear and intimidation," prevents Iranians from participating in the presidential election voting."

The announcement follows a note of protest sent by the Iranian Embassy in London to the British government on June 30. The embassy claimed that there were "attempts to disrupt the presidential voting process and cause trouble for the voters."

It came after the first round of the presidential election, where some individuals in the UK protested outside Iran's missions against Iranians participating in the polls, urging them to boycott the elections as 60 percent of the populace did.

Opposition activists and many regime critics both within Iran and abroad say that the election is a sham exercise by the government, which has denied real freedom of choice to voters and has brutally suppressed dissent.

Since its establishment in 1979, the Iranian government has faced extensive criticism for its human rights violations, including numerous executions and extrajudicial killings. The government has consistently used the death penalty as a means of political repression, targeting dissidents, activists, and minorities. Widespread reports of torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials highlight the methods employed by security forces to suppress critics.

Human rights organizations continue to document the abuses, underscoring the government's ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly, and belief. Despite international condemnation, the Iranian government persists in these practices, creating an environment of fear and repression for its citizens.

The landmark litigation was filed on behalf of more than 100 victims of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 people.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and National Director of the advocacy group ADL, told Iran International anchor Fardad Farahzad, that the goal is to hold the three countries accountable and to seek justice for the victims and their families.

It is also a means of recording the brutality perpetrated by Hamas and its supporters to combat disinformation in an age of “denialism”, said Greenblatt.

“We will prove beyond a reasonable doubt the role that Iran, Syria, North Korea have played in propping up and preparing, supporting and training Hamas, allowing them to commit on Oct. 7th the worst act of terrorism in generations, the bloodiest day experienced by the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” he said.

Iran has not just been an ally of Hamas, but has also provided material, financial and tactical support to its proxy group according to experts.

On October 26, 2023, US Congressman Bill Huizenga, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, stated that Iran funds roughly 93% of Hamas’ budget which is about $350 million dollars per year.

In 2018, the US State Department report stated that Iran funds around $100 million a year to groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The evidence gathered was made up of open-source intelligence, and also evidence that was uncovered and not widely known, according to Greenblatt.

“North Korean armaments that were found on the ground in Gaza. And we've got more that we'll be sharing further. This is an explosive case, and it will be impossible for the regime to deny the role that it played in this horrible event,” he stated to Farahzad,

International human rights lawyer Gissou Nia said the inclusion of North Korea is unique, but not unheard of.

"There have also been actions against North Korea. They're not quite as frequent. We see that the actions against the Islamic Republic or the Syrian regime, far outstrip the number against North Korea. But this is not a first. And I think that the report about North Korean weapons that were allegedly used in Hamas's attack on Oct. 7th is what is precipitating, North Korea being included here.”

An Associated Press investigation in October stated that Hamas likely fired weapons produced by North Korea on Oct. 7. North Korea has previously denied the link.

The ADL’s 117 page complaint also seeks to establish that North Korea advised Hamas on its extensive tunnel network, which was used during the attack.

They are also trying to prove close ties between Syria and Hamas. During the decade-long Syrian civil war, Hamas, at one point sided with the opposition but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad restored ties with Hamas in 2022, under the guidance of Iran.

Nia said US nationals can bring a suit against Iran, Syria and North Korea which are three of the four countries listed on the US State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Foreign governments are generally considered beyond the jurisdiction of US courts, but the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) allows the courts to hold these countries accountable, where immunity is not absolute.

Since the US doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Iran, the US would effectuate service via the US Interests Sections, or with countries that are acting on behalf of these countries to make sure they are served.

Nia said typically these countries do not send any counsel to defend in the courts and that results in a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. Families typically won't see the recovery in millions of dollars in assets from these three countries, said Nia.

“There are practically no Islamic Republic assets available in the US. There really aren't Syrian regime assets, nor are there North Korea assets. So they would not be getting those assets directly from the regimes at this point, and instead they would be paid out by a victims' fund,” she said.

Greenblatt told anchor Fardad Farahzad, that the families will get "some financial recompense” through the US Victims Fund of State sponsored terror and will receive “some degree of justice.”

The 2015 Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act established the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, whose funds can be disbursed to victims.

The ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt said the Islamic Republic regime "will pay for their crimes."