Canadian Couple “Missing” In Iran For 18 Months

Behnoush Bahraminia, a 35-year-old Iranian-Canadian, disappeared during a trip to Iran along with her partner Mathew Safari nearly a year and a half ago, her father says.

Amir Bahraminia told Canada’s Global News on March 7 that he is convinced the pair is imprisoned in Iran.

The family in Canada has heard nothing from the couple since landing in Tehran on November 6, 2021, he said.

“She is in trouble,” Bahraminia said. “I know she is in Iran. I haven’t heard her voice and I haven’t seen her.”

Behnoush lived in Metro Vancouver. Safari is also Canadian-Iranian from Port Moody, in British Columbia.

The couple had planned to travel to Iran’s Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, where Safari was considering buying a house.

The family cited two unnamed security sources as telling them that the two had been arrested on "security" charges.

The Bahraminia family has appealed to the Canadian government for assistance. The foreign ministry told Global News that it is aware of the situation and is collecting further information to provide consular assistance.

The couple was arrested amid anti-government demonstrations that have swept Iran for more than five months.

The Islamic Republic has claimed that the protest movement is instigated by its foreign foes. Officials did not provide any evidence backing the allegation.

Western governments have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of taking dual and foreign nationals hostage for the sole purpose of using them in prisoner swaps.