CBC News: Supporters of an Iranian man scheduled for deportation from Canada continued their hunger strike outside a government immigration office Saturday. Ali Reza Monemi, 28, says he will face further danger if he’s sent back to Iran, but last March, an Immigration Canada ruling concluded he would not face unusual treatment or punishment if returned to Iran, and ordered him deported.
CBC News
VANCOUVER – Supporters of an Iranian man scheduled for deportation from Canada continued their hunger strike outside a government immigration office Saturday.
Ali Reza Monemi, 28, says he will face further danger if he’s sent back to Iran, but last March, an Immigration Canada ruling concluded he would not face unusual treatment or punishment if returned to Iran, and ordered him deported.
Monemi says he entered Canada five years ago after Iranian officials whipped him more than 60 times without a trial for talking to a married woman in a public park.
The Iranian courts found him guilty of “unethical sexual relations” and sentenced him to three months in prison, a year exiled to a remote region of Iran, plus 84 more strokes with a whip.
Monemi’s younger brother, Mohammad and other supporters want to persuade Canada to let him stay.
Monemi, who is currently in the custody of immigration officials, is seeking refugee status in Canada.
Mohammad and his parents are Canadian citizens, but Monemi’s refugee claim has been rejected.
Family friend Tammy Sadeghi says supporters will continue their hunger strike until immigration officials reverse their decision.
Monemi’s deportation is scheduled for Tuesday.
