The Canadian government on Monday announced a new salvo of sanctions against Iranian organizations and officials accused of being complicit in the regime and “its brutal suppression of courageous Iranian voices”.
“Canada stands in solidarity with the Iranian people, who continue to suffer serious violations of their most fundamental human rights,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.
“The Iranian regime must end its horrific crackdown on protests,” she said.
Iranian justice announced three new death sentences on Monday, 48 hours after the execution of two protesters, provoking a new wave of international indignation.
Ottawa has notably decided to sanction the 15 Khordad Foundation, an organization close to the Iranian regime and which “finances the operations of the regime’s highest officials” and “implements the regime’s internal policies”.
This foundation, which for years has offered a reward for killing British writer Salman Rushdie, has also been under US sanctions since the end of October.
Media or organizations linked to the press have also been sanctioned, such as the newspaper Iran, accused of spreading disinformation and propaganda of the regime. But also the Press Supervisory Board, able to close media outlets and magazines.
The Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth, Vahid Yaminpour, “responsible for state propaganda”, who has hosted programs in a state-controlled media that “propagates the arguments of the regime”, is also targeted.
The sanctioned are imposed a ban on transactions and a freezing of their assets in Canada, as well as a ban on entry into the territory for the individuals concerned.
In total, in recent months, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions against 127 individuals and 189 Iranian entities, including the vice police.
According to a count compiled by AFP from official announcements, the sentences announced on Monday bring to 17 the number of people sentenced to death in connection with the protest sparked in Iran by the death of Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old died on September 16, 2022, three days after she was arrested by the vice police for violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, which includes the wearing of the veil in public for women.