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Woman deported from B.C. awaits trial in Iran |
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Friday, 10 December 2004 |
CTV Canada
An Iranian women's rights activist who was deported from Vancouver recently, despite telling immigration officials that she could be sentenced to death, is awaiting a court date.
Haleh Sahba was detained and released in Iran after being forced to leave Canada Tuesday, according to her sister.
She is facing several charges including leaving Iran illegally.
A lawyer in Iran sent a letter to Canadian authorities saying that she could be tried at an Islamic court where the maximum punishment is death.
Her sister Laleh Sahba told CTV's Renu Bakshi that she had been detained at Tehran Airport for 26 hours upon her arrival.
She tearfully recounted her conversation with her sister after she was released.
She said she pleaded over the phone "to please bring her back."
Canadian immigrations officials said 40 Iranians were deported from British Columbia in the past year and there hasn't been proof of any torture, Bakshi reported.
Sahba's lawyer told CTV's Rob Brown that she didn't do everything in her power to stay.
Peter Larlee said that she failed to ask a federal judge to review her denied refugee claim.
Her lawyer at the time, Lee Rankin, could not recall why they didn't seek the judicial review but said it is usually because clients cannot afford the expense. |
