Canada Thwarts Alleged Iranian Plot to Assassinate Former Justice Minister Irwin Cotler

 

Canadian authorities have reportedly foiled an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler, a former Justice Minister and outspoken critic of Tehran. The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, where Cotler serves as international chair, confirmed the assassination attempt on Monday, November 18.

Cotler, 84, who served as Canada’s Justice Minister and Attorney General from 2003 to 2006, was informed on October 26 of an imminent threat from Iranian agents, reportedly set to occur within 48 hours. Canadian police tracked two suspects linked to the plot, though Cotler himself stated he has no knowledge of arrests made.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment on the specific operation due to security concerns.

Iran has dismissed the allegations, with its state-run IRNA news agency calling the claims “ridiculous storytelling” and part of a broader misinformation campaign against the country. Issa Kameli, Iran’s Director General for the Americas, denied any Iranian involvement in the alleged plot.

Francois-Philippe Champagne, a senior Canadian government minister, labeled the assassination plot “very concerning,” while Quebec’s senior minister, Jean-Yves Duclos, acknowledged the emotional toll on Cotler and his family.

Cotler, a prominent human rights advocate and vocal supporter of Israel, has been under police protection since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. His advocacy includes urging the global designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a status Canada officially applied in June.

This isn’t the first time Cotler’s name has been linked to Iranian threats. His name reportedly appeared in a 2022 FBI investigation into a murder-for-hire plot targeting U.S.-based human rights activist Masih Alinejad. Cotler’s daughter, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, is an Israeli politician and diplomat, adding to the potential motivations behind such threats.

Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran over a decade ago, further straining relations between the two nations. This latest development adds another layer of tension, with the safety of outspoken critics of Tehran remaining a pressing concern.