Two Suspects in SFU Professor's Murder Appear by Video for Bail Hearing
The two individuals charged with the first-degree murder of Masood Masjoody, a Simon Fraser University math professor and vocal critic of the Iranian regime, made a virtual appearance in Vancouver provincial court on Monday. Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, of Maple Ridge, and Arezou Soltani, 45, of North Vancouver, appeared by video from custody, where they will remain at least until their next scheduled court date on March 25, according to criminal registry records.
Investigation Explores Potential Link to Anti-Iranian Activism
Homicide investigators are actively examining whether Masjoody's outspoken activism against the Tehran government played a role in his death. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the case, with Sgt. Freda Fong stating that the two accused were known to the victim. "We understand this case has impacted the Iranian community and has generated widespread concern and public interest," Fong noted in a weekend statement, emphasizing that the first-degree murder charges mark a significant step, though the prosecution process is just beginning.
Masjoody, 45, was reported missing on February 2 after Burnaby RCMP received concerns from neighbors about his unusual absence. The investigation quickly turned criminal, and his body was discovered in Mission on March 6. Police arrested the suspects on Friday, with formal charges filed on Saturday.
Court Proceedings and Sealed Evidence
During Monday's court session, applications for publication bans under the Criminal Code section governing bail hearings were granted for the defendants' lawyers. Additionally, a search warrant related to the case has been sealed at the request of law enforcement, limiting public access to specific details as the investigation continues.
Masjoody was known for his online criticisms of the Iranian government, alleging that individuals and institutions in Canada, including at Simon Fraser University, had connections to or were enabling the Iranian regime, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He raised alarms about technology transfers that could benefit Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, citing warnings from former CSIS director David Vigneault about foreign targeting of academic institutions.
In a 2021 letter to then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Masjoody highlighted Iranian regime programs in sensitive engineering fields and cautioned that technologies developed in Canada might be exploited for nefarious purposes in Iran. His activism has now become a focal point in the murder investigation, though police have not released further information, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The next court appearance is set for March 25, where bail hearings will be scheduled, and more details may emerge as the legal process unfolds.
