Son of former Iranian vice president received over $2 million in Canadian government contracts — media
The son of former Iranian vice president Mohammad Reza Ghafoori Fard received more than $2 million through Canadian government contracts, The Jerusalem Post reports, citing a Global News investigation and documents obtained by the outlet. According to Global News, Canadian authorities have been investigating him for a long time over suspected ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Contracts and alias
According to Global News, 45-year-old Mohammad Reza Ghafoori Fard is the son of Iranian politician and former vice president Hassan Ghafoori Fard. The outlet reported that while living in Edmonton, he used the alias Sal Ghafoori.
According to the investigation, Fard received government contracts, including while taking part in an official Canadian trade mission to Latin America. As Global News notes, the funds were intended to help him submit legislative proposals to the Canadian government.
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Canadian intelligence data
Global News also cited a recently declassified report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). According to the outlet, the document states that Fard was involved in research and development of Iranian military technologies.
In particular, CSIS said that he helped develop a surface-to-air missile system and a jamming system to counter U.S. aircraft. According to the service, Fard participated in a covert procurement structure for components for these projects and acknowledged active involvement in procurement activities beneficial to the Iranian military, including the IRGC.
The CSIS report also states that in 2015, Fard met twice in Iran with representatives of the country's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and provided them with details about his work in Canada. During the second meeting, he was allegedly given instructions and warnings regarding possible contacts with police or intelligence services while living in Canada.
