Canada has recently thwarted an assassination plot against Irwin Cotler, the former Minister of Justice and a renowned human rights advocate. This alarming situation highlights the serious threats faced by those who strongly oppose the Iranian regime.
According to reports, Cotler was warned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on October 26 about imminent danger to his life from Iranian agents. The alert indicated he might be the target of assassination within 48 hours, prompting heightened security measures around him.
Cotler, now 84, is no stranger to controversy, especially when it concerns Iran. His persistent criticism of the Iranian government and his advocacy for the Iranian population's rights have made him a high-profile target. He has even called for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be designated as a terrorist organization, which Canada officially classified as such just this past June.
After the October warning, the RCMP reportedly had knowledge of two individuals involving the plot, though it remains unclear if they were apprehended or managed to escape. The police provided Cotler with extensive protection, including bulletproof vehicles and armed officers, measures he has been under since earlier this year following the events surrounding the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The contents of the plot against Cotler emerged amid rising tensions associated with Iran's activities outside its borders. Earlier this month, U.S. authorities arrested an Afghan national linked to another alleged Iranian plot targeting the then incoming President Donald Trump. This has raised concerns about Iran's attempts to target political figures on foreign soil.
Responding to the allegations of the assassination plot against Cotler, Iran's government has outright denounced these claims as “completely baseless.” Spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, remarked on similar accusations surrounding President Trump's assassination allegations, asserting these claims are false and have long been refuted by Tehran.
Cotler's longstanding connections to human rights issues extend beyond his political career. He has represented numerous Iranian political prisoners and has close ties to Israel through his family. His daughter, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, serves as a member of the Israeli parliament, reinforcing the scrutiny he faces due to his family's political affiliations and public statements.
Despite the lowering of the immediate threat against him, Cotler's experiences serve as a reminder of the lengths to which oppressive regimes might go to silence their critics. The protective measures adopted by Canadian authorities reflect the overarching need for vigilance against external threats to national and personal safety.
