Ex-Canadian justice minister targeted in alleged Iranian assassination plot

Canadian authorities have reportedly foiled an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler, a former Canadian justice minister and prominent human rights advocate. Cotler, 84, was informed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on Oct. 26 about the threat and has since been placed under police protection.

Cotler, a longtime critic of Iran’s government, has been vocal in condemning Tehran’s actions, including its involvement in the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which killed all 176 passengers. He has also campaigned to have Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) designated as a terrorist organization.

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According to Canadian media reports, the alleged plot involved two suspected Iranian agents and was considered an imminent threat. Security officials linked the threat to Cotler’s public criticism of Iran and his advocacy for human rights. Cotler had already been under surveillance following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, which raised concerns about his safety.

Cotler responded to the alleged plot by stating, “We hold the regime accountable and send the message that we will not be intimidated or silenced.” He characterized Iran as a leading state actor in what he described as “transnational repression” and “transnational assassination.”

Canadian officials have not disclosed specific details about the investigation, and the RCMP has not confirmed whether arrests were made. The Iranian mission to the United Nations has not commented on the allegations.

Cotler’s name also reportedly appeared in a separate FBI investigation into an Iranian-linked assassination plot in the United States. That plot, revealed in 2022, targeted American human rights activist Masih Alinejad. While Cotler was not listed as a target, he was contacted by the FBI in connection to the investigation.

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Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran more than a decade ago and listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity earlier this year. The latest developments have heightened concerns over Iran’s activities abroad. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc described the situation as “very concerning,” while Jean-Yves Duclos, Quebec’s senior minister, expressed support for Cotler and his family.

Cotler, who resides in Quebec, is the founder of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. He has represented political prisoners and dissidents globally and served as Canada’s first special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism.