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

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