Former justice minister Irwin Cotler says RCMP told him Iranian plot to kill him was foiled
The recent revelation that a plot to assassinate former justice minister Irwin Cotler was foiled by the RCMP has sent shockwaves through the political and human rights community. Cotler, an 84-year-old human rights advocate and vocal critic of the Iranian regime, was informed last month that agents of Iran had planned to kill him within 48 hours.
According to a report by the Globe and Mail, Cotler has been under police protection for over a year, with round-the-clock security measures in place, including an armoured car and armed protection officers. While the threat level faced by Cotler has been reportedly reduced, it is unclear if any suspects have been apprehended or if they have fled the country.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) issued a statement thanking the police for thwarting the assassination plot and emphasized the need for vigilance in protecting defenders of Israel and human rights worldwide. Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe also condemned the death threats against Cotler in the House of Commons, stating that no one’s life should be endangered over their opinions.
This assassination plot is not an isolated incident, as earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment alleging that two Canadians were planning to conduct assassinations in the U.S. on behalf of Iran’s Intelligence services. The suspects, Damion Patrick John Ryan and Adam Richard Pearson, were accused of plotting to shoot a man and woman living in Maryland, one of whom was a defector from Iran.
These incidents highlight the growing trend of foreign powers engaging in political assassinations on Canadian soil and the need for heightened security measures to protect individuals like Irwin Cotler who speak out against oppressive regimes. The safety and security of human rights defenders must be a top priority for law enforcement agencies to ensure that they can continue their important work without fear of reprisal.
