(a small bit of) Justice Prevails

[The] "evidence overwhelmingly permits me to conclude that both properties are beneficially owned by Iran and constitute non-diplomatic assets of Iran in Canada."
Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling

"Given the approach of the Canadian government, it is crystal clear that the verdict is politically motivated."
Marzieh Afkham, Iranian foreign ministry

Give that man a cigar!

The Government of Canada amended the State Immunity Act as well as enacting the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act in 2012, permitting individuals done harm by terrorists to seek damages from state sponsors of those who attacked them. Leading to a ruling last week by an Ontario judge to ensure that Iran's estimated $7-million in non-diplomatic assets in Canada be dissolved, and the proceeds given to victims of terrorism.

It's a pittance, actually, a symbolic act by the Government of Canada to express its contempt for a regime that oppresses its own population, while at the same time, fomenting violence within the international community by its temporal (financial) and spiritual (Islamist) support of terror groups dedicated to fanaticism and violence resulting in mass murder. It represents more than symbolism to the victims of violence; a recognition of their suffering.

Though that too is symbolic, since it is a mere handful of individuals who have taken this step to validate their claims of Islamist terrorism having no place in a civilized world ... nor is the Islamic Republic of Iran a civilized government in a terrorized world. Funds that Iran had placed in Canadian bank accounts and two properties located in Toronto and Ottawa will now be formally and legally sundered from Iranian government ownership.

The judgement enables sheriffs to sell Iran's properties, void its bank accounts and distribute the proceeds to a number of terrorism's victims. Four lawsuits were filed in Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia by victims claiming damages from Iran for training, arming and financing Hamas and Hezbollah. One of the plaintiffs is a Canadian dentist from Vancouver, injured by a Hamas suicide bomber.

The others are Americans who filed their complaints in Canada for the purpose of collecting on judgements awarded by U.S. courts, because Iranian assets were dissolved in the United States and depleted by a large number of claims against the Iranian Republic. A Scotia-bank account valued at $1.7-million controlled by Iranian diplomat Hamid Moharrami and an RBC account with a balance of 333,000 euros controlled by Reeza Shaker, the embassy's charge d'affairs were seized.

Money in the accounts, formerly the property of Iran, to be paid out to the victims. Iran has 14 Canadian bank accounts for another $2.60-million. A Toronto building at 2909 Sheppard Avenue and one in Ottawa on Robinson Avenue are to be sold. Evidence exists that the Ottawa property was linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Because the Iranian embassy and official residence in Ottawa are diplomatic property they cannot be seized. The Ontario ruling, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency was based on "the fabricated allegations that Iran supported terrorist groups", while FARS said Tehran had reminded the Ottawa government of its "international commitment" to protect diplomatic properties.