Canadian authorities have uncovered and thwarted an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate a former justice minister who has been a strong critic of Tehran.

As per AFP, 84-year-old Irwin Cotler, a stalwart advocate for global human rights, was informed on October 26 that he faced an immediate threat, with Iranian agents allegedly planning an assassination within 48 hours.

The assassination bid was first reported by The Globe and Mail and has been confirmed by Cotler's organisation, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.

Citing sources, the publication revealed that Canadian authorities tracked two suspects tied to the plot, though details about arrests remain undisclosed. &nbsp;

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<h2>Who is Irwin Cotler?</h2>

Irwin Cotler served as Canada's justice minister and attorney general from 2003 to 2006. Although he retired from politics in 2015, he has remained active in championing human rights causes worldwide.

Cotler, already under police protection for more than a year following threats linked to his advocacy, has remained publicly silent about the specifics. &nbsp;

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment, citing operational security: "We cannot comment on, nor confirm, specific RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) operations due to security reasons."

François-Philippe Champagne, a cabinet minister, described the alleged plot as "very concerning."

Jean-Yves Duclos, the government's senior minister in Quebec province, said it was likely "very difficult for (Cotler), in particular, and his family and friends to hear" about it.

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This is not the first time Cotler's name has emerged in relation to Iranian threats. He was previously linked to an FBI investigation into a 2022 plot targeting Masih Alinejad, a US-based human rights activist, allegedly orchestrated by Iranian operatives.

Cotler has been a vocal proponent of listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation—a step Canada officially took in June. Iranian authorities, Canada asserted, have consistently displayed "disregard for human rights both inside and outside of Iran, as well as a willingness to destabilize the international rules-based order."

As a lawyer, Cotler has represented Iranian dissidents and political prisoners.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian authorities have uncovered and thwarted an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate a former justice minister who has been a strong critic of Tehran. As per AFP, 84-year-old Irwin Cotler, a stalwart advocate for global human rights, was informed on October 26 that he faced an immediate threat, with Iranian agents allegedly planning an assassination within 48 hours.

Canadian authorities have uncovered and thwarted an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate a former justice minister who has been a strong critic of Tehran. As per AFP, 84-year-old Irwin Cotler, a stalwart advocate for global human rights, was informed on October 26 that he faced an immediate threat, with Iranian agents allegedly planning an assassination within 48 hours. The assassination bid was first reported by The Globe and Mail and has been confirmed by Cotler's organisation, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. Citing sources, the publication revealed that Canadian authorities tracked two suspects tied to the plot, though details about arrests remain undisclosed. Also read | Kim Jong-un hails 'strategic level' partnership as Russian delegations visit North Korea Who is Irwin Cotler? Irwin Cotler served as Canada's justice minister and attorney general from 2003 to 2006. Although he retired from politics in 2015, he has remained active in championing human rights causes worldwide. Cotler, already under police protection for more than a year following threats linked to his advocacy, has remained publicly silent about the specifics. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment, citing operational security: "We cannot comment on, nor confirm, specific RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) operations due to security reasons." François-Philippe Champagne, a cabinet minister, described the alleged plot as "very concerning." Jean-Yves Duclos, the government's senior minister in Quebec province, said it was likely "very difficult for (Cotler), in particular, and his family and friends to hear" about it. Also read | G20 summit ends in Rio with no progress on climate This is not the first time Cotler's name has emerged in relation to Iranian threats. He was previously linked to an FBI investigation into a 2022 plot targeting Masih Alinejad, a US-based human rights activist, allegedly orchestrated by Iranian operatives. Cotler has been a vocal proponent of listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation—a step Canada officially took in June. Iranian authorities, Canada asserted, have consistently displayed "disregard for human rights both inside and outside of Iran, as well as a willingness to destabilize the international rules-based order." As a lawyer, Cotler has represented Iranian dissidents and political prisoners. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada thwarts alleged Iranian plot to assassinate ex-justice minister Irwin Cotler

Federal prosecutors have revealed new details about the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. Authorities say he was found sitting with a rifle in the trees near Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. In a letter, the suspect allegedly stated, "this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.” Stay tuned as we break down this shocking case and its potential implications.

Ryan Routh: Suspect In Trump Assassination Attempt May Face New Charges

NATO called an emergency meeting on this matter and alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said all countries were united in condemning this 'horrific' attack on the 44-year-old opposition politician.

Russia to probe attempted murder angle in Alexei Navalny case

Following the revelation of the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/maoist-letter-reveals-rajiv-gandhi-type-assassination-bid-on-pm-modi--143143">"Rajiv Gandhi-type" assassination bid on Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, the&nbsp;Pune police have&nbsp;launched a massive manhunt to locate the four accused who are on the run and are wanted in this case.

These accused are known with their code names as comrade Milind, comrade Deepu, comrade Manglu and comrade Prakash.

The police have formed&nbsp;six teams to investigate the matter.

The&nbsp;Intelligence agencies have alerted that several leaders including students belonging to this Maoist organisation are still on the job and conspiring the plan to eliminate their target. The agencies further said that the accused may be hiding in different parts of the country and be trying to radicalise others to recruit them for CPI Maoist.

The letter that was recovered from the residence of one of the five persons arrested by Pune police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence read, "Com. Kisan and few other senior comrades have proposed concrete steps to end Modi-raj. We are thinking along the lines of another Rajiv Gandhi type incident. It sounds suicidal and there is a good chance that we might fail, but we feel that the party PB/CC must deliberate over our proposal. Targeting his road-shows could be an effective strategy. We collectively believe that survival of the party is supreme to all sacrifices".

In the letter, it was also written that for Maoists, "defeating Hindu fascism has been our core agenda and a major concern for the party".

The Intelligence agencies have alerted that several leaders including students belonging to this Maoist organisation are still on the job and conspiring the plan to eliminate their target

Following the revelation of the "Rajiv Gandhi-type" assassination bid on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Pune police have launched a massive manhunt to locate the four accused who are on the run and are wanted in this case. These accused are known with their code names as comrade Milind, comrade Deepu, comrade Manglu and comrade Prakash. The police have formed six teams to investigate the matter. The Intelligence agencies have alerted that several leaders including students belonging to this Maoist organisation are still on the job and conspiring the plan to eliminate their target. The agencies further said that the accused may be hiding in different parts of the country and be trying to radicalise others to recruit them for CPI Maoist. The letter that was recovered from the residence of one of the five persons arrested by Pune police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence read, "Com. Kisan and few other senior comrades have proposed concrete steps to end Modi-raj. We are thinking along the lines of another Rajiv Gandhi type incident. It sounds suicidal and there is a good chance that we might fail, but we feel that the party PB/CC must deliberate over our proposal. Targeting his road-shows could be an effective strategy. We collectively believe that survival of the party is supreme to all sacrifices". In the letter, it was also written that for Maoists, "defeating Hindu fascism has been our core agenda and a major concern for the party".

Massive manhunt launched to locate accused in PM Modi's assassination plot

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, news agency PTI reported quoting police.

Iqbal, 59, suffered a bullet injury on his right shoulder following the incident.&nbsp;

He was attending a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur Tehsil when the incident occurred, the police was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

According to reports, he&nbsp;was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.&nbsp;

Family sources confirmed that the interior minister is being shifted to Lahore.

The suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, according to police.

District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that the attacker used a 30-bore pistol to fire at Iqbal from a distance of around 18 metres.

"One of the shooters has been arrested and (is) being interrogated by the police," Punjab government said in a Twitter message.

Confirming the incident, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger. The arrested suspect is 20-22 years old, he added.

Corner meetings become common as elections come close with politicians interacting with supporters and common people.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Iqbal, 59, sustained a bullet wound on his right shoulder.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, news agency PTI reported quoting police. Iqbal, 59, suffered a bullet injury on his right shoulder following the incident. He was attending a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur Tehsil when the incident occurred, the police was quoted as saying by Dawn News. According to reports, he was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital. Family sources confirmed that the interior minister is being shifted to Lahore. The suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, according to police. District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that the attacker used a 30-bore pistol to fire at Iqbal from a distance of around 18 metres. "One of the shooters has been arrested and (is) being interrogated by the police," Punjab government said in a Twitter message. Confirming the incident, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger. The arrested suspect is 20-22 years old, he added. Corner meetings become common as elections come close with politicians interacting with supporters and common people. (With PTI inputs)

Pakistan interior minister shot at in suspected assassination bid: Police

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