Harper warns Iran that ‘world will be watching’ if Canadian executed

By Mark Kennedy

Postmedia News

SANTIAGO, Chile — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned Iran that the entire world will “cast judgment” if “terrible” things are done to a Canadian who has been sentenced to death.

Harper made the comments Monday, a day after Canadian officials issued an urgent appeal to the Iranian government, fearing an Iran-born Canadian sentenced to death could be executed “imminently.”

Hamid Ghassemi-Shall went to Iran in 2008 to visit his ailing mother but was jailed and sentenced to death for alleged crimes against the Iranian state.

“Canadian government officials have been working at all levels for some time obviously to urge for a judicial process and clemency in this case,” Harper told reporters.

“And I know, of course, we are working with our international partners. I think our view is known. The government of Iran should note that the whole world will be watching and they will cast judgment if terrible and inappropriate things are done in this case.”

In a joint statement on the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy said Canada was “gravely concerned” Ghassemi-Shall’s execution “may be carried out imminently.”

Amnesty International says the dual national was sentenced to death in 2008 on espionage-related charges.