Canada is planning to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, as a terrorist group, sources have confirmed to CTV News.
It is a crime to knowingly deal with the assets of a listed terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code. Charitable organizations can lose their status if they maintain their connections to terrorist groups, and people found to be associated with those groups can be denied entry into Canada.
In January, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said publically he was open to the move, so long as it was done “responsibly.” He made the remarks during a vigil for victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which was shot down by the IRGC over Tehran on Jan. 8, 2020.
Victims’ family members have been calling on Canada to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization for years.
Canada’s Criminal Code mandates severe penalties for people and organizations that deal with property or finances belonging to a listed entity.
This is a breaking news story. More details to come.
With files from CTV News’ Vassy Kapelos
