The Canadian Federal Court rejected former Deputy and spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran Salman Samani’s request to stop the process of his deportation from Canada during the crackdown on the nationwide protests of Aban 2018.

The judge stated that the public interest of Canada in preventing the country from becoming a “safe haven for suppressors” takes precedence over Samani’s claims.

In the course of the case, Samani said that if he were returned to Iran, he would face serious risks, and he even spoke about the possibility of suicide. By rejecting the request, Canada Border Services can continue the process of carrying out Samani’s deportation order.

According to a report by Canada Border Services, Samani held various positions in the government of the Islamic Republic between 2007 and 2021, and during his professional career he had demonstrated “commitment and loyalty to the system.”

As the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior in Hassan Rouhani’s administration, he played a role in disseminating the government’s official narrative and suppressing views of opponents. Samani, after leaving the government in August 2021, entered Canada on a tourist visa and in 2024 appeared before the Canada Immigration and Refugee Board for consideration of his deportation case.