Canada sanctions five Iranian officials and five entities for repressing the population and restricting fundamental freedoms

The Government of Canada announced on Wednesday new sanctions against five senior Iranian officials and five entities controlled by the Iranian state, accused of involvement in the brutal repression of the population and the restriction of fundamental freedoms.

According to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, the targeted individuals work in the security sector and within the government in Tehran. The sanctioned officials and entities allegedly contributed to digital surveillance, censorship, the unlawful use of violence, arbitrary detention, and the intimidation of those who challenge the regime.

The new measures come after protests triggered at the end of December by the rising cost of living. The demonstrations quickly turned into large-scale anti-government protests, which peaked on January 8 and 9.

Iranian authorities have acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths and attributed the violence to “terrorist acts” orchestrated by the United States and Israel. However, non-governmental organizations based abroad claim that the crackdown resulted in thousands of victims.

Since 2022, Canada has imposed 24 rounds of sanctions against 237 Iranian individuals and 265 entities. The protests that year erupted after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for violating the dress code imposed on women.