Two Charged with First-Degree Murder in Masjoody Death

Two individuals charged with first-degree murder in the death of Masood Masjoody, a former instructor at Simon Fraser University and outspoken critic of the Iranian government, appeared briefly by video in a Vancouver courtroom on Monday.

Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and Arezou Soltani, 45, from North Vancouver, confirmed their identities during the hearing in Vancouver provincial court. The appearance was scheduled to set a date for a future bail hearing, now fixed for March 25. Court records indicate the accused were arrested on Friday and formally charged the following day. A publication ban was granted on details of the bail process, and a related search warrant remains sealed at the request of investigators.

Masjoody, 45, was reported missing from his home in Burnaby on February 2 after neighbors raised concerns about his uncharacteristic absence. The Burnaby Royal Canadian Mounted Police initially handled the case as a missing person investigation but soon determined criminality was involved. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took over, and on March 6, Masjoody's remains were discovered in Mission, about 70 kilometers east of...