Salman Samani, a senior official in the Ministry of Interior during Rouhani's government, who is on the verge of being deported from Canada, claimed during a session of the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Commission on Thursday that he was unaware of the order from his 'boss to the police forces' to kill protesters in 2019. According to Canadian media reports, Samani, the former deputy minister of the Islamic Republic's Interior Ministry, confirmed during the review of his case on Thursday, February 8, 2023, that he was operating under the supervision of Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the then Minister of Interior, but was not informed of his order to the police forces to kill Iranian protesters. He also claimed that the events of 2019 'disturbed him so much' that he decided to leave the government. In response to the question of why he continued to work in the Islamic Republic's Interior Ministry for two more years despite this, he added: 'I decided to stay in the Ministry of Interior to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and assist the people of Iran.' The Canada Border Services Agency is trying to deport Samani as a senior official in the repressive regime of Iran. He is the second Iranian official facing deportation from Canada under sanctions imposed by the Canadian government last year. The Immigration and Refugee Commission of Canada issued a deportation order for Majid Iranmanesh, the former director general of the Scientific and Technological Assistance of the Iranian presidency, on February 1. The Canadian government imposed sanctions and significant restrictions on many leaders, officials, and affiliates of the Islamic Republic following the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police due to improper hijab and the widespread protests of Iranians in various cities in Canada, coinciding with protests in various cities in Iran. Currently, at least 10 Iranian cases related to 'Tehran regime' affiliation are under review for deportation from Canada.
Former Islamic Republic Official on the Brink of Possible Deportation from Canada: I Was Unaware of the Order to Kill Protesters in Iran
Salman Samani, a former Iranian official, claims he was unaware of orders to kill protesters during the 2019 unrest while facing deportation from Canada. His case highlights Canada's increasing scrutiny of Iranian officials following human rights abuses. This situation reflects broader tensions between Canada and the Iranian regime.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Salman Samani, a former Iranian official, is facing deportation from Canada. He claims he was unaware of orders to kill protesters during the 2019 unrest in Iran.
- Samani was a senior official under Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli during the 2019 protests.
- Canada is reviewing multiple cases of Iranian officials for potential deportation due to their roles in the Iranian regime.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In 2019, widespread protests erupted in Iran, leading to a violent crackdown by the government. Canada has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials following recent protests over Mahsa Amini's death.
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