Two Individuals Face First-Degree Murder Charges in Death of Iranian Mathematician
Two people have been formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Masood Masjoody, an Iranian mathematician and outspoken critic of the Tehran regime, whose body was discovered in British Columbia, Canada. This case has significantly heightened fears regarding the transnational repression of individuals who oppose the Iranian government.
Discovery of the Body and Arrest of Suspects
Masood Masjoody, a former university mathematics teacher, was reported missing in early February from the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. Authorities later confirmed that his remains were found on March 6 in Mission, British Columbia. Following an investigation, police arrested Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, of Maple Ridge, and Arezou Soltani, 45, of North Vancouver. Both individuals have been charged with first-degree murder.
Sgt Freda Fong, a spokesperson for the homicide unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stated that the motive behind the killing is still under active investigation. However, she confirmed that the victim and the suspects were known to each other. Fong emphasized the impact of this case on the Iranian community, noting it has generated widespread concern and anxiety.
Legal Background and Controversial Lawsuits
Masjoody was a prominent figure behind a series of lawsuits against the Iranian government and members of the exiled monarchist faction. In September 2024, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Razavi and several others. Soltani was subsequently named in a related defamation suit. Additionally, Masjoody initiated legal actions against the social media platform X, Reza Pahlavi (the son of the former shah), and his former employer, Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
His litigious activities were described by Justice Bruce Butler of the British Columbia Court of Appeal in 2025 as bearing "many, if not all, of the hallmarks of vexatious litigation," according to reports from the Globe and Mail newspaper. Masjoody had previously lost a 2021 lawsuit in which he alleged that Simon Fraser University and former colleagues were involved in a conspiracy, defamation, and a cover-up, partly enabled by efforts linked to the regime of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Conversely, Masjoody himself faced accusations of sexual harassment and making misogynistic and violent social media posts targeting female colleagues.
Concerns Over Transnational Repression and Foreign Interference
Earlier this month, activists expressed fears to the Guardian that Masjoody's vocal criticism of the Iranian regime made him a potential target. Canada's intelligence agency has issued warnings about foreign interference from Iran, specifically highlighting threats to individuals. Sgt Fong cautioned that any speculation regarding Iran's involvement in the murder would be premature and could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The killing has prompted serious doubts about Canada's response to academics who report being targeted by Iran. Maral Karimi, a lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University who specializes in social movements in Iran, remarked, "The Islamic Republic has a long tradition and history of physically eliminating its opponents extraterritorially. They are really not taking this seriously until one of us dies, and now Masjoody is dead."
Court Appearances and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Razavi and Soltani made a brief appearance via video in a British Columbia court on Monday, where they did not enter pleas. They spoke only to confirm their identities. The case continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding Masjoody's death and the broader implications for international security and the protection of critics living abroad.
