Second Iranian Government Official Facing Deportation from Canada; Majid Iranmanesh to be Tried on January 17

The Canadian news site Global News reported on Wednesday that the second Iranian government official facing deportation from Canada is Majid Iranmanesh, who has held various managerial positions within the Iranian government prior to residing in Toronto. Canada has not released information regarding Mr. Iranmanesh or his role in the Iranian government, but some users claim he has previously served as the director of the Information Technology and Communications Office of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, head of the Center for Information Management and Incidents at the Ministry of Interior, director of personnel affairs at the Ministry of Roads, and director of the Statistics Office of the National Youth Organization. The Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board announced on Wednesday that a hearing for this case will be held on January 17, 2024, where the Refugee and Immigration Board of Canada will decide whether there are sufficient grounds for Mr. Iranmanesh's deportation due to his alleged connections with the Iranian government. Bill Blair, Canada's Minister of National Defence, told Global News, "Individuals who have participated in destructive activities are not eligible to enter Canada, and if they somehow enter the country, we will do everything we can to deport them." He emphasized the Canadian government's determination to expel 'agents' and 'accomplices' of the Iranian regime's inhumane actions, adding, "We need the cooperation of the Iranian community and their information to effectively deal with these individuals." This is the second case arising under Canada's sanctions against the Iranian government, which were imposed following the death of Mahsa Amini. Canada considers the Iranian government a regime involved in terrorism and gross, systematic human rights violations. This policy has effectively barred tens of thousands of Iranian officials and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from entering Canada. Global News also reported last week that Seyed Salman Samani, a senior official in the Ministry of Interior under Rouhani's government, is also facing deportation from Canada. The Canada Border Security Agency had previously announced that the cases of 10 'senior officials' of the Iranian government residing in Canada have been sent to the Immigration Commission for deportation. Additionally, Global News reported on Thursday, December 7, that an individual named Rouhollah Firouznama, who has collaborated with the Iranian government for years in the installation of security cameras, is also facing deportation from Canada. It is said that Canada does not classify Mr. Firouznama as a government official but has placed him on the deportation list due to his collaboration with senior Iranian officials and his involvement in installing surveillance cameras in Iranian prisons and working with senior IRGC commanders.