Canada Deports Iranian Ex-Minister Syed Salman Samani

Canada has deported Syed Salman Samani, who served as Iran’s deputy interior minister and official spokesperson, after a Federal Court judge dismissed his last-minute appeal against removal. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed his removal, marking him as the second senior Iranian regime official expelled under Ottawa’s policy targeting high-ranking members of Iran’s government.

Samani arrived in Canada in October 2021 and was described by the CBSA as having demonstrated loyalty to the Iranian regime throughout his political career from 2007 to 2021. The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) ordered his deportation in 2024, but he contested this decision in Federal Court.

Justice Sébastien Grammond noted Samani's significant influence over government decisions and his ministry's oversight of police forces involved in human rights abuses. Despite claiming fear of harm if returned to Iran, the judge ruled that Canada’s interest in removing those responsible for systematic human rights violations outweighed his concerns.

Ottawa's policy against senior Iranian officials was introduced in 2022, with ongoing investigations into suspected regime members.