Former Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Requests Stay of Deportation
Seyed Salman Samani, once a senior official in Iran’s interior ministry, has asked a federal judge in Toronto to pause his removal to Iran, according to court filings obtained by Global News.
In his appeal, Samani argues that being sent back would breach his constitutional rights and calls the immigration decision “illegal” and “manifestly unreasonable.”
Anonymity Request and Public Exposure Concerns
Samani also filed a motion seeking to keep his identity out of the public record, asking that his name be removed from all documents and that he be referred to only by random initials such as AB or XY, citing fear of retaliation from Iranian authorities.
The Federal Court has not yet ruled on the anonymity request, and the hearing is scheduled to remain open to the public, a decision Samani opposed.
Deportation Order and Broader Context
The Canada Border Services Agency ordered Samani’s deportation more than two years ago, but he remains in Canada while his appeal proceeds, a situation that reflects broader difficulties in removing senior Iranian regime figures.
Immigration officials say 34 individuals identified as suspected high‑ranking members of the Iranian government are currently subject to removal, yet only one has been returned to Iran to date.
Samani’s Role and Influence
According to a CBSA report, Samani held multiple government positions between 2007 and 2021, serving as a career politician and spokesperson for the interior ministry.
Officials note that he is only two posts away from Iran’s president and possesses “significant influence over the exercise of government power,” making his removal a priority under the 2022 ban on senior regime officials.
Public Reaction and Policy Implications
Canadian‑Iranian community members have long warned that the country could become a haven for members of the Iranian regime, urging stronger vetting and faster deportations.
In 2022, the government introduced a ban on all senior Iranian officials entering Canada, but immigration authorities have struggled to enforce the restriction and complete removals.
Recent declassified assessments suggest that Iran’s intelligence service may be linked to attacks in Canada since the start of the Iran‑War era, heightening concerns about security risks posed by regime affiliates living abroad.
