Man and woman appear in court over murder of Iranian activist in Canada

"Two people have been charged with the murder of an Iranian activist in Canada, in a case which has intensified fears over transnational repression of critics of the regime in Tehran. Masood Masjoody, a former university maths teacher, went missing in early February in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. He had been critical of Iran's theocratic regime and the exiled family of the former shah."

"Masjoody was behind a string of lawsuits against the Iranian government and members of the exiled monarchist faction. He sued Razavi and several others for defamation in September 2024 and Soltani was named in a subsequent defamation suit. He had also launched cases against the social media platform X as well as Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah, and his former employers, Simon Fraser University."

"Sgt Freda Fong, a spokesperson for the homicide unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the motive was still under investigation but the victim and suspects knew each other. We understand this case has impacted the Iranian community and has generated widespread concern."

Masood Masjoody, a former mathematics teacher critical of Iran's theocratic regime and exiled monarchist faction, disappeared in February in British Columbia. His remains were discovered in March. Two suspects, Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi and Arezou Soltani, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Police confirmed the victim and suspects knew each other, though the motive remains under investigation. Masjoody had filed multiple lawsuits against the Iranian government, monarchist members, and various defendants including the social media platform X and Reza Pahlavi. A court previously characterized his litigation as vexatious. The case has intensified fears within the Iranian community regarding transnational repression of regime critics.

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