https://globalnews.ca/news/5893768/irans-properties-in-canada-sold/beta/?utm_expid=.kz0UD5JkQOCo6yMqxGqECg.1&utm_referrer=https://www.google.ca/
Iran’s properties in Canada sold, proceeds handed to terror victims
BY
STEWART BELL GLOBAL NEWS
Posted September 12, 2019 1:51 pm
Updated September 12, 2019 4:47 pm
An Iranian Officer of Revolutionary Guards, with Israel flag drawn on his boots, is seen during graduation ceremony, held for the military cadets in a military academy, in Tehran, Iran, June 30, 2018. Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS/File Photo
Tens of millions worth of seized Iranian government properties have been sold off in Canada and the proceeds handed to victims of terrorist groups sponsored by the regime, Global News has learned.
According to a
document filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice last month, the victims got a share of the money earned through the sale of Iran’s buildings in Ottawa and Toronto.
The properties went for more than $28-million, documents show. The recipients were victims of Hamas and Hezbollah — terrorist groups bankrolled, armed and trained by Iran.
“The distribution to creditors as authorized by the court has been made,” the Toronto law firm appointed as the court-appointed receiver, Albert Gelman Inc., informed the judge on Aug. 7.
Normally that would be an unremarkable statement but the creditors in the case were terrorism victims and the assets were Canadian properties seized from the Iranian regime.
The
Ottawa property, which had been the
Iranian Cultural Centre, was particularly valuable. Marketed as a “transit-oriented development opportunity on the apron of the University of Ottawa,” it sold to a Montreal developer for
$26.5-million.
The
Toronto property, which was owned by a company headed by an embassy official and served as the
Centre for Iranian Studies, went for
$1.85-million.
A lawyer representing one of the victims also confirmed the sales had occurred.
A photo from a brochure advertising the sale of an Iranian regime property in Ottawa.
It was sold in March to a Montreal developer.
The Canadian Coalition Against Terror, which lobbied to changed the law so victims could seek redress from states that sponsor terrorism, said it was pleased Tehran had been held to account.
“The Iranian regime unwaveringly and unabashedly provides tens of billions of dollars for terrorist organizations that have destroyed innocent lives across the globe, including those of Canadians,” said Danny Eisen, the
C-CAT spokesperson.
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The redistribution of Iran’s assets marks the likely end of a process that started seven years ago when the former Conservative government designated the Islamic Republic a state sponsor of terrorism.
Under the
Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, enacted in 2012, victims can use the courts to claim the Canadian assets of designated state sponsors of terrorism. Iran and Syria are currently designated.
