High-ranking Iranian regime members leave Canada in the face of deportation
Global News learned that a senior member of the Iranian regime “voluntarily left Canada” a few days before facing a lawsuit against deportation.
The Canadian Border Service said Elham Zandi issued an intention to deport her, asking the Immigration and Refugee Commission to hold a hearing to deport her.
She is the third suspected senior member of the Iranian government and left Canada after the sanctions passed two years ago were targeted.
Global News reported last week that CBSA withdraws the case against Zandi. At that time, officials did not explain why.
But documents released at the Global News Show Zandi chose to leave Canada on February 25 ahead of her deportation case, which is scheduled to begin on March 7.
As a result, the IRB closed her files.
Zandi is one of 18 senior Iranian regime members allegedly a senior Iranian regime since the government launched a crackdown on them in 2022.
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Senior Islamic Republic officials have been banned from the country in response to Tehran's brutal crackdown on women, lives, and protesters of the Freedom Movement.
So far, only one official has been deported, but two people are now voluntarily leaving, including Zandi. Despite the deportation order, another body in Canada remains in Canada.
The IRB refused to issue an expulsion order in two other cases, and the rest is still in progress.
Initially, Zandi came to Canada and claimed to be a tourist, but once here, she applied for a work permit. When she didn't get one, she sued Canada for $10,000.
According to documents released by federal court, the office of Free Congressman Patrick Weiler repeatedly asked the immigration department about the status of his work permit.
The British Columbia MP's Office said it was unaware of the CBSA allegations against Zandi and was responding to her daughter's request.
Iran is a state sponsor of terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a military response to conflicts in Gaza and regionally.
It has also been accused of trying to silence Canada's dissidents and critics, including activist and former liberal Irwin Cotler, who allegedly targeted the assassination.
Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue wrote in a report on foreign intervention that community members told Iranian officials that they were “living openly and freely in Canada.”
Iranian Canadian activists have challenged the federal government to do better to screen regime members and their say supporters are seeing the country as a safe haven.
Two weeks ago, the CBSA held a deportation hearing for Toronto-based Iranian national Amin Yousefijam, who used multiple identities and was convicted in the United States for helping Iran evade sanctions.
stewart.bell@globalnews.ca
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